Annette's Hook, Line & Believer

What’s In A Name – The Names of God – RAV-CHESED

2012-02-13T11:04:00.000-06:00

The name, Rav-Chesed, means Abounding in Love. The Hebrewword chesed means kindness or loving-kindness.

“And the Lord passed before him andproclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, andabounding in goodness and truth.’” Exodus 34:6

Way back in 1964 the Righteous Brothers sang about bringingback that loving feeling. I’m relatively sure they weren’t talking about the‘chesed’ type love that comes from God Almighty. Chesed is love that suggestsloyalty, faithfulness, a pledge or promise. Our God is abounding in love. Heloves us with a greater purpose. And here’s the most amazing part…His lovedoesn’t require our love in return.

“Givethanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm106:1

A songwriter by the name of Billy James Foote penned thesong, Amazing love, You Are My King. This songreminds me of the boundless love of God when it says:

Amazinglove
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.

“How precious is Your steadfastlove, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”Psalm 36:7

Thank you Father, Rav-Chesed for Your unfailing love. Theundeserving of this world continue to flourish and prosper, but You areunchanging in your constant, steadfast love for Your children. All praise andglory I give to You. Amen

Picture Courtesy of: Paul McRae

What's In A Name - The Names of God - ADONAI

2012-01-25T11:18:00.001-06:00

The name, Adonai, means Lord..Master
According to www.thefreedictionary.com,the word Master means: One that has control over another or others
There are several instances of master/slave (servant)relationships in the Bible; some good, some not so good. This reference of Godas our Master refers to a loving, caring, master who gives the utmost of careto his servants.

I imagine it to be like the relationship between a war dog andhis master. These animals are 100 percent obedient to the one who controlsthem. Why? They are trained to, but also…because he loves the master and themaster loves him.

To You I lift up my eyes, O You whoare enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the handof their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, soour eyes look to the LORD our God. Psalm 123:1-2

God is the only Master who gives more to his servants thanis given to Him.

He gives us His grace

He gives us His mercy

He gives us His boundless love

He forgives our sins

He gave us His Son

For the LORD your God is God ofgods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God. Deuteronomy10:17

Father…God…my Adonai, You are my Great Master. In You I putmy trust and my faith. I praise Your holy name for loving me and taking care ofall my needs like a beloved servant. All my love I give to You! Amen

Picture courtesy of: ww2incolor.com

What’s In A Name – The Names of God – YAHWEH

2012-01-17T08:56:00.001-06:00

Names were very significant in biblical times. Names hadmeaning reflecting everything from the hopes of the mother to certaincircumstances surrounding the child’s birth. A name could also reveal a divinepurpose or perhaps a prophecy concerning the child’s future.

One of these instances is seen in the book of Ruth with Naomi,the mother-in-law of Ruth. Naomi means “pleasantness,” but when she becomes greatlyafflicted following the death of her husband and sons, Naomi asks to be called,Mara, meaning “bitterness.”

Another reference to the meaning of a name occurs in 1Chronicles 4:9 which states that Jabez was so named because his mother gavebirth to him in pain. The actual word meaning is “sorrow.” Poor guy! I’d hate to carry that around my whole life.

Our obsession with names may be the reason Moses felt theneed to know the name of the one who addressed him from the burning bush.

Then Moses said to God, “Indeed,when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathershas sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I sayto them” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shallsay to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14

The name God provided was Yahweh, LORD, Jehovah,Self-Existent One. By telling His name, God was saying He wanted to start arelationship with Moses…that He was willing to communicate with him. God also revealedHis character by stating His name.

I am the Lord; that is my name; myglory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Isaiah 42:8

Holy Father, Yahweh, I praise your holy name. Yours is thename above all names and there is none like You. Thank You for revealingYourself to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and even to believers today. Withoutyou in this world and in my heart I would want to be called Mara just as Naomidid. Praise be to Yahweh, the great I AM!

Tradition!

2012-01-04T17:18:00.000-06:00

This week on the American Christian Fiction E-loop, writersare talking about their Christmas traditions and where they originated. Thisidea has prompted me to blog about some of my own Christmas traditions; old andnew.

Each year at Christmastime my family participates in avariety of conventional and even a few unconventional celebrations. Our firstChristmas tradition we’ll call Chinese Light Night! This is the night, usuallya Friday or Saturday night just before Christmas when our family eats Chinesefood (the restaurant must have dumplings) and then travels around town to oneor more of the beautifully decorated neighborhoods around Houston. This isfollowed by Starbucks! Why Chinese food? It’s in honor of what the family hadto eat in the movie, A Christmas Story after the Bumpus Hounds ate their Christmasturkey. I know, it’s silly, but it’s meaningful to us. Oh, as an added bonus,this year we all wore our footie pajamas in the car…and in Starbucks.

Our second Christmas tradition (in the past) has always beena silent communion service the Sunday evening before Christmas Day. This was abeautiful celebration of the partaking of the body and blood of Christperformed in complete silence. This year was different. Not in a bad way, justdifferent. The service took place on Christmas Eve, officiated by our newminister. He preached on “God’s Indescribable Gift.” The sermon was followed bythe second-most interesting communion service I’ve ever attended. The customarycup of juice and cracker was replaced with a self-serve, disposable juice andwafer cups. These were amazing, but difficult to open. Note: When casually askingex-military named Bubba for help opening something, be prepared to have a knifepulled on you…in church! I would elaborate on my first, most interestingcommunion, but that would require another blog entry.

Our third and newest Christmas tradition was our celebrationof Advent for the first time. This beautiful time of preparation of the SecondComing of Christ was a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season.

Of course we have many more traditions, but just likeChristmas, this blog must come to an end. Until next year, Merry Christmas andHappy New Year!

Advent On Christmas Eve

2011-12-23T22:40:00.000-06:00

Remember to first light all four previous candles before beginning. Our final Advent celebration is in honor of Christ and the salvation we afford through the shedding of His royal ruby red blood. Were it not for the Christ Child there would be no Christmas. Were it not for Christmas there would be no salvation. This week let us reflect on the sacrifice JESUS made when He left His royal place in heaven and took on the flesh of a man while remaining fully God. He bore our sins on a cross that we may be joint heirs with Him in eternity. Shall we never forget the ultimate sacrifice JESUS made for you and for me.

As we close this Advent celebration, remember to keep the Christ of Christmas alive in your heart.

The Scripture Reading:

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring for a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” The Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1: 26-38

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. Matthew 1:18-25

The Prayer:

Father, on this day we worship Your Son whose birth was merely the beginning of a life of total sacrifice. We thank You for the prophets who foretold of His coming. We thank You for the little town of Bethlehem where the King was born. We thank You for the shepherds You chose to first hear about His birth. We thank You for the angels who brought the glorious news of the coming of Your Son. And most of all we thank You for JESUS and the hope, love, joy and peace He brings. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. It is in His name we pray. Amen.

The Candle:

Light the fifth and final tall white candle in honor of JESUS, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

The Song: (Suggested)

Away in a Manger

This Christmas hymn was purportedly published in a collection entitled, Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families. The song was edited by James R. Murray who lived between 1841 and 1905.

Advent Week Four - The Joyous Announcement

2011-12-16T10:35:00.000-06:00

This week, the fourth week of Advent, we remember the angel that gloriously proclaimed the birth of the Christ Child. This announcement was the most momentous message that ever had been or ever will again be made! The angel truly did bring tidings of great joy…the Savior was born. Not only was he excited about the news, but so were all his friends who showed up to celebrate along with him. How many angels joined him? The Bible says it was a multitude. How many is a multitude? I don’t know, but I have a feeling it was a HUGE amount! Just imagine the most insane concert and laser show you’ve ever seen and multiply that by infinity and it’s probably not even close to what the shepherds saw that earth-shattering night of Jesus’ birth!

This week we are also to remember peace…the peace that is only found in the loving arms of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. As you light today’s candle reflect a moment on the peace of Jesus, our Prince of Peace.

Remember to first re-light the candles lit on previous weeks.

The Scripture Reading:

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-20

The Prayer:

Father we thank You for the angels who brought the glorious news of the birth of Your Son. No other means of announcement would be so befitting Christ’s birth as a multitude of the heavenly host. We praise You and adore You and thank You for your Son, Jesus.

The Candle:

The fourth week of Advent is celebrated with the lighting of the third purple candle to remind us of the angels who joyously announced the glorious birth of Jesus…the Prince of Peace.

The Song: (Suggested)

Hark! The Harold Angels Sing

This Christmas carol was written in 1739 by Charles Wesley (brother of John, who founded the Methodist Church). The tune, however, came from Mendelssohn in 1840 to celebrate Gutenberg and the invention of printing.

Third Week of Advent

2011-12-09T20:26:00.001-06:00

It’s hard to believe we are already celebrating the third week of Advent! This week of Advent is a time of joyous reflection on the shepherds that mundanely watched over their flocks that night having no idea their lives were about to be changed forever. Imagine the fear they experienced at the sight of a spectacular angel of the Lord appearing before them. Consider the joy they felt in their hearts when the angel told them what was happening nearby in the little town of Bethlehem. Don’t forget to re-light the first two purple candles before you begin!

Here's a picture of my makeshift Advent wreath. It's not really a wreath at all, but it works in a pinch!

The Scripture Reading:

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” Luke 2:8-20

The Prayer:

Father God it is on this night that we thank You for sharing the birth announcement with the lowly shepherds. This is how we know that Your salvation is not only for kings and princes, but for everyone, even me. Thank you for this joyful season when we can celebrate Your love for us through the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

The Candle:

The third week of Advent is celebrated with the lighting of a pink candle to remind us of the shepherds and the joy of the Good News of the Savior.

The Song: (Suggested)

Silent Night, Holy Night

This beautiful song, composed in the 19th century has a very colorful background story consisting of rumors that the song had to be written for guitar as mice had purportedly eaten the organ bellows. It’s worth looking up the history associated with the hymn.

The Second Week of Advent

2011-12-02T16:46:00.001-06:00

The second week of Advent is a remembrance of Bethlehem and God’s love for us for sending His One and Only Son. It was not a gilded cradle where the King of Kings was laid upon His birth, but a lowly feeding trough for beasts of the field. He was not born in a palace, but in a filthy barn in Bethlehem. This week we remember God’s amazing love that He would send His perfect, sinless Son into a fallen world that we might have the opportunity to live forever with Him in the glory of heaven.

The Scripture Reading:
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, every one to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David to be registered with Mary, his bethrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:1-7

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The Prayer:
Heavenly Father we thank You for Your immense love that You would give us Your precious Son in a Bethlehem stable. We praise You and adore You and thank You Father for the salvation we have through the One who was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen

The Candle:
The second week of Advent is celebrated with the lighting of the second purple candle which reminds us of the Love of God poured out to us when He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ at Bethlehem. Remember to re-light the candle from the first week!

The Song: (Suggested)
O Little Town of Bethlehem

This traditional Christmas carol was written by Phillips Brooks, an Episcopal Priest. Three years after he visited Bethlehem in 1865 he penned the poem we know today as the song, O Little Town of Bethlehem.

Advent The First Week

2011-11-25T17:33:00.001-06:00

Week one of Advent represents “The Prophecy of Jesus’ first coming” or “HOPE.” Advent is, after all, a prayerful, spiritual preparation for the second and final coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is also a joyful remembrance of His birth.

The Scripture Reading:

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is giving; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2

The Prayer:

Father God in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. We thank You Father for sending Your precious Son, Jesus, The Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. We thank You at Christmastime for the prophets who foretold of Your coming. We praise You as we await Your second coming. Amen

The Candle:

The first week of Advent is celebrated with the lighting of one of the purple candles which represents the prophecy of the coming of Christ Jesus and the hope of our coming Savior and King!

The Song: (Suggested)

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

This traditional hymn is thought to have come from the 8th or 9th century and is one of the most solemn of Advent hymns. The song confirms the proclamation in Matthew 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

The Advent Season

2011-11-23T10:01:00.001-06:00

This year our church is advocating the celebration of Advent. I’ve always been curious about the season of Advent, but never paid much attention to it since it wasn’t something my family had ever participated in. The strange coincidence is that I have been researching Advent for the book I’m currently writing. So this year it is my plan to participate in the Advent season with my family.

Advent literally means, “coming,” or “initiation,” or “arrival.” The purpose of Advent is to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ while celebrating His first appearance on earth at Christmastime.

The fourth Sunday before Christmas, or the Sunday closest to November 30, is the first day of Advent. The celebration consists of the following activities, reading of scriptures, prayer, singing of Christmas carols and lighting of candle(s). How is Advent celebrated? The first thing to do is to gather the needed supplies.

The Advent wreath is used nowadays to hold the five candles that will be lit each week. The wreath is usually round with four candle holders around the edge in the shape of a cross with one single candle holder in the middle of the four outer candles. The wreath has special significance as to its shape, etc, but not feeling crafty at this particular point in time I don’t plan on making a wreath. Instead I am collecting five candle holders from around my house and arranging them in a circle (unless, of course, I find one on clearance at the craft store) I’m sure Jesus won’t mind.

The five candles are significant as well with three purple, one pink and one white representing Christ. The three purple candles that will be lit on the first, second and fourth weeks represent Christ’s royalty. The pink candle represents God’s love in giving His only begotten Son. The white candle represents the purity of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Over the next few weeks I will write about how each week of Advent is celebrated. So for now, take this time to gather your supplies and if you desire to make an Advent wreath you can Google the instructions. Remember…the first Sunday of Advent this year is on November, 27, 2011 so get ready!!

Thanksgiving Writing Project For Kids

2011-11-16T11:16:00.001-06:00

The coming week brings my favorite day of the holiday season…Thanksgiving! I consider myself an extremely thankful person. Why? Because I know what it’s like to be a sinner saved by grace and I know that someone had to die to save me from my sins. Who died? Jesus died; and for that I am thankful.

For many years as I decorate for the Thanksgiving holiday, I display a piece of writing in my kitchen that was done by my daughter when she was in the second (?) grade. (My daughter, by the way, is turning 19 this month. Happy birthday Casey!) I love the writing so much because it’s a treasured memory of course, but also because she has a special way with words. Here is what she wrote:

So many of us stay-at-home moms will have our children home from school this entire next week. What on earth can I do to keep the little darlings busy? Why not have them do this simple and easy writing exercise! Here’s what you do. Think of a topic and that will be the title of the work; such as autumn, Thanksgiving, Christmas…let them be creative. Then have them write what they think about, concerning that topic, using the five senses; sight, smell, touch, taste, sound. Let them decorate their work and viola, you have a memorable keepsake and you’ve given the kids a writing lesson all at the same time…easy as pumpkin pie!

I can’t wait to do this exercise with my youngest son. If you have a chance to do this with your own children I would love for you to share their work in the comments section!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 118:1

MEET THE CHRISTIAN AUTHORS 2011

2011-10-09T18:58:00.000-05:00

The Chair

2011-10-03T20:47:00.000-05:00

Christian Author, James L. Rubart’s third release has earned him kind words from heavy hitters in the Christian writing world such as, Tracie Peterson, best-selling author of the Striking a Match series, Bill Myers, best-selling author of Eli and The God Hater, and even Terri Blackstock! Here’s what the back cover copy says about the book.

If you were given an ancient-looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe it? When an elderly lady shows up in Corin Roscoe’s antiques store and gives him a chair she claims was built by Christ he scoffs. But when a young boy is miraculously healed after sitting in the chair, he stops laughing and starts to wonder: Could this chair heal the person whose life I destroyed twelve years ago?

As word spreads of the boy’s healing, a mega-church pastor is determined to manipulate Corin into turning over the chair. But the mysterious woman who gave him the piece insinuates it is Corin’s destiny to guard the chair above everything else. Buy who? Desperate, he turns to the one person he can trust, a college history professor who knows more about he legend of the chair than he reveals.

Searching for truth about the artifact and the unexplained phenomena surrounding it, Corin soon realizes he isn’t the only one willing to do almost anything to possess the power that seems to surround the chair.

Sounds interesting doesn’t it? Well believe me when I say that it is! Rubart hits another homerun with his most recent installment entitled, The Chair. Having loved Rubart’s first two books, Rooms and Book of Days, I highly recommend this book as well. Happy reading!

Summer Dream By Martha Rogers

2011-08-29T21:53:00.000-05:00

Book one in the Seasons of the Heart series is set in Briar Ridge, Connecticut in 1888 the year of what historians call “The White Hurricane.” Summer Dream tells the story of Rachel Winston, the daughter of a small town minister. Rachel believes her only hope of finding a husband depends on a trip to visit her aunt in Boston. Before she has a chance to leave, Nathan Reed, a young lawyer comes to town. There is an instant attraction between Rachel and Nathan until he finds out that her father is a minister. Nathan wants nothing to do with any woman who is a Christian because of a terrible experience in his past. When Nathan finds himself caught in the blizzard he turns his life over to God and vows to take care of his past and plan for his future.

Mrs. Rogers hits another homerun with the maiden offering in this series. The glimpse into 1880s Boston social society alone makes this a must read. But the history portrayed concerning the blizzard of 1888 is what really kept me interested. I have to admit though, the sweet innocence of the main character and her best friend was a true delight. I wanted them to be friends with my own daughter who is of their age.

Summer Dream really hits home when Rachel Winston continues to pray for the man she truly loves and never gives up on him even when it seems hopeless. It’s a good lesson for all of us who have situations or people they are praying for where there seems to be no good solution. But the Bible says “nothing is impossible with God.”

Thank you Mrs. Rogers for once again managing to hook me on another of your heartwarming romance series. Suppose I’ll have to keep my eye out for the next offering in the series, Autumn Song, releasing in October 2011!

Cowboys And Aliens…I think so!

2011-08-07T18:57:00.000-05:00

How on earth did this great summer movie receive an average rating of 3 out of 5 stars? Here’s a short blurb describing the movie.

“1873. Arizona Territory. A stranger with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution.The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don't welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde. It's a town that lives in fear. But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. United against a common enemy, they will prepare for an epic showdown for survival.”

One prominent reviewer wrote, “Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford’s steampunk western piles cliché upon cliché—and just ends up being irritating.”

I don’t know what kind of person this reviewer is, cough, cough…old, grizzled dude, who hasn’t found pleasure in any movie since “Yentl” or perhaps “Burlesque” cough, cough. But seriously, I can’t imagine the person wouldn’t like a movie that offers the aspects of a great western, a great sci-fi thriller and acting genius out the wazoo?

Actors…ever heard of a couple guys by the names of Daniel Craig or Harrison Ford? Thought you might have. And one of my all-time favorites, Clancy Brown! What…don’t know who Clancy Brown is? You don’t know the name of the actor who played perhaps the most barbaric nemesis in cinematic history…the Kurgan…from the original Highlander movie staring Christopher Lambert? Well perhaps you might know him as the voice of Mr. Krabs from the SpongeBob SquarePants series.

Kind of have to hand to Jon Favreou who insisted that westerns should only be shot on film and not in 3d. Love 3d films—hate wearing the glasses over my specs.

Overall I give the movie three thumbs up, or 10 out of 5 stars! Okay, I gotta admit there are a few bad words said, but you need to go see this movie. You won’t regret it!

I Can Only Imagine…

2011-07-19T16:53:00.000-05:00

I’ve always been in awe of my two younger children’s imaginations. I sometimes think they weren’t too impressed by the world they were born into and therefore proceeded to create their own imaginary world. We never worried about entertaining them. There was plenty going on in their own minds to entertain the masses.

My daughter for instance decided around age four that any four inanimate objects were a ‘family’. Waiting for food at a fancy restaurant…no problem, salt shaker…mommy, pepper…daddy, fork, spoon…you’re the kids. And viola, she was entertained for hours.

My son, on the other hand, has his own brand of imagination. He doesn’t need common table items to keep himself entertained. All he needs is players for the ‘game’ going on in his mind. At any hour of the day I might find myself on a spy mission in some remote part of the world wielding an imaginary gun that shoots plasma beams. If the boy could learn how to put his imagination into a video game he’d be a millionaire.

I’ve often wondered how they come up with these ideas. Then I thought about my own childhood. Mother bought my brother and me a box of modeling clay and shortly thereafter, the “Flunkies” were born. Flunkies were bean-shaped clay figures that decided they would form a rock and roll band, complete with guitars, microphones, drums, amps, the whole works. Then there was the “Funky-Four” a group of four kids whose mission was to protect Devil’s Island from the kids down the street. Devil’s Island was a heavily wooded lot across the street from our house. My best friend from next door and I created duct tape purses long before they became hip. Barbie and GI Joe got dumped in the closet…imagination was king!

I would like to think that my love of imagination sparked my interest in writing fiction. Imagination is the forerunner to invention…creation. And that leads me to believe that our God must have an outrageous imagination!

Yes, imagination, like a mind, is a terrible thing to waste. So go out and buy a box of modeling clay and exercise your imagination. You might be surprised at what you come up with.

Picture provided by Paul M. McRae - 2010 Houston Art Car Parade

1992 The Year In Review

2011-06-05T19:10:00.000-05:00

President George H.W. Bush is defeated by Governor Bill Clinton

Hurricane Andrew becomes the costliest natural disaster in US history.

Jay Leno replaces Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show.

Washington Redskins defeat Buffalo in the Superbowl

Cost of a first class stamp is twenty-nine cents

Toronto Blue Jays defeat Atlanta Braves in the World Series

The top grossing film is Aladdin

The Space Shuttle Endeavour takes her maiden voyage

Sinead O’Connor destroys a picture of the Pope on Saturday Night Live

Prince Charles and Princess Diana publicly announce their separation

Deaths of some prominent people in 92:

Alex Haley

Isaac Asimov

Marlene Dietrich

Lawrence Welk

Sterling Holloway

Roy Acuff

Most importantly, many from the graduating class of 2011 were born!

Congratulations Casey O’Hare, Graduate Extraordinaire!

Nevermind!!

2011-05-03T09:33:00.000-05:00

EMILY: What’s all this I hear about baby seals killing Osama Bin Laden?

Well I say it’s about time! For years I’ve heard about the senseless killing of baby seals. You’ve seen the pictures. Poor little things, laying on the ice, minding their own business when some crazy lummox decides to club them to death for their fur coats. Well now the tables have turned and the seals are fighting back!

From this day forward, Osama Bin Laden will never club another poor baby seal to death! And furthermore…

ANCHOR: Miss Litella, I’m afraid you didn’t hear the story correctly.

EMILY: What?

ANCHOR: Yes, well the story says that Navy Seals killed Osama Bin Laden, not baby seals.

EMILY: So it was Navy Seals that killed Bin Laden and not baby seals?

ANCHOR: That’s right.

EMILY: Ohhhhhh well that’s different.

NEVERMIND!

Houston We Have A Problem!

2011-04-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

Houston, Texas was snubbed for one of the four retired space shuttles…really? Are we to believe that the home of mission control; the place that first heard the words “one giant leap for mankind”; the place many astronauts have made their home will not receive an orbiter?

The city of Houston is deeply rooted in the institution that is the space program. Anyone ever heard of the Astrodome; the eighth wonder of the world? Houston even named their sports teams in accordance with the space program…the Astros, the Rockets, the Comets. One of the nicknames for our town is Space City! Not to mention we are the home of the NASA - Johnson Space Center which houses mission control and the astronaut training facility and Space Center Houston.

City of Houston mayor, Annise Parker was quoted as saying, “This is certainly disappointing, but not entirely unexpected as the Administration has been hinting that Houston would not be a winner in this political competition. I am disappointed for Houston, the JSC family and the survivors of the Columbia and Challenger missions who paid the ultimate price for the advancement of space exploration. There was no other city with our history of human space flight or more deserving of a retiring orbiter. It is unfortunate that political calculations have prevailed in the final decision."

The Administration Ms. Parker refers to are currently residing in Washington, DC, which brings up another interesting point. The number one criteria for receiving an orbiter was that the city must have significant ties to the space program. Houston and Florida should have been tied in that category. I’m not the only one who finds it funny that the other three states receiving shuttles are “blue” states…apparently Ms. Parker does too. Why President O…you knew there was no way you would ever win Texas so you decided to screw Houston? Hmmm

The biggest crusher of all is that New York City is the recipient of one of the orbiters. A city that has absolutely NO ties to the space program whatsoever.

Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah has introduced the bill “Space Shuttle Retirement Act” of 2011. The bill orders that the shuttles be sent to Florida, California, Washington…and Houston. In response to Rep. Chaffetz bill, Senator Charles Shumer, Dem., New York said, “I say to the people in Houston: When people all around the world - in London and Tokyo and Paris and Buenos Aires - say 'Gee I can't wait for my trip to Houston,' then (they) can have a shuttle. Until then, it's staying in New York because New York is where it belongs." Shumer went on to bastardize a famous Texas saying, coining the term, “Don’t mess with New York.”

You know who can’t wait for their trip to Houston, the 160,000 patients that visit the Texas Medical Center from all over the world every single day, that’s who. Mr. Shumer probably isn’t familiar with the largest medical facility in the world. In his eyes we probably all ride horses and raise cattle. Another group of people that can’t wait for their trip to Houston are the ones looking for jobs. I assume Mr. Shumer also doesn’t know that Houston is the oil capital of the world. And who else would love to see that space shuttle in it’s real home of Houston, Texas, the more than four million people who live here!

The saddest thing of all is the slap in the face this decision gives to the widows and widowers of the Challenger and Columbia disasters. Here’s what they had to say about it.

We are heartbroken to learn of the decision that the Space Shuttle will not be allowed to return home to Houston. Home is where the heart is, and Houston has served as the heart of the space shuttle program since its inception nearly four decades ago. All the astronauts lost were Houston's residents. We again share a collective loss as a result of the political decision to send the space shuttle elsewhere. We had prayed that the incredible sacrifices this community has endured would have allowed the shuttle's legacy to continue here. Although we disagree with this decision, we will persevere in our support of space exploration, just as we have done in the past.

Evelyn Husband Thompson
Jonathan Clark
Sandy Anderson
Lorna Onizuka
Cheryl McNair

On Houston being snubbed on receiving an orbiter, Apollo astronaut, Gene Cernan said it is an example of "politics over history."

New York, you definitely have a problem.

Interview With Annette O’Hare

2011-04-06T10:30:00.001-05:00

Today we will be interviewing an up and coming author who I know you will want to read, well as soon as she’s published that is! Her name is Annette O’Hare. Annette hail’s from Deep South Texas, just north of Houston.

Interviewer: So tell me Annette, what are you working on right now?

Annette: Oh, so glad you asked! I’m currently working on a historical romance novel set during the Civil War.

Interviewer: Can you tell us a little bit about the book?

Annette: Of course. Main character, Margaret Logan’s fiancé is killed in the war. And to add to her misery she’s been uprooted from the magnificent city of New Orleans and moved to desolate Bolivar Point, Texas. Her father, a lighthouse keeper, is re-commissioned to man the Bolivar light only to find upon their arrival that the lighthouse has been completely dismantled because of the war.

Interviewer: Interesting. So where does the real conflict come in?

Annette: Well, the action starts when Margaret comes across a severely wounded Union soldier washed up at the bay. Because her fiancé died at the hands of the North, Margaret instantly hates this man. Much to her surprise, her parents insist on bringing him to their home to nurse him back to health.

Interviewer: Sounds Interesting! Did the book require much research?

Annette: Most people have no idea how much work goes into researching a historical novel. Fortunately I really love this part of the novel writing experience. I happen to have a connection to the lighthouse at Bolivar Point, a real place that’s featured in the book. You see, my great aunt was married to the man who bought the lighthouse at auction in 1947. One of the two houses adjacent to the lighthouse bears the name “Maxwell” which is my grandmother’s maiden name. I understand that a Maxwell currently lives in the house with his young wife. I would love to meet them.

Interviewer: Wow! That would be wonderful.

Annette: Yes, especially if I could hand them a signed copy of my book! Hi I’m your cousin. We’ve never met, but I would like to give you a copy of the novel I wrote about this lighthouse.

Interviewer: Hilarious! Well, Annette I’ve enjoyed our interview and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me.

Annette: And I thank you. I hope we can talk again soon so I can tell the readers about another book I have in the works for young adult readers called Puppy Ciao!

24 Hours On The Monitor

2011-03-07T15:02:00.000-06:00

Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

“Mrs. O’Hare, I need you to wear a heart monitor, get a heart echo and undergo a stress test. Just as a precaution of course.”

Completely ignoring his last two recommendations I consider what he’d said. A heart monitor, that doesn’t sound so bad. “Okay, where do I get one?”

“Just go up front and the nurse will take care of everything.”

“Thank you doctor.” I approach the checkout desk where I’m unacknowledged. “Excuse me, I’m Mrs. O’Hare and I need to pick up my heart monitor.”

The nurse looks down her long pointed nose through half glasses at her computer, then at me and then back at the computer. “Let me see here. Mrs. O’Hare, yes…well it seems we just gave away the last monitor a few minutes ago. We can schedule you to come in and pick one up on Monday.”

“But it’s Wednesday! Don’t you have one coming in tomorrow, or even Friday?” Pointy nose glares at me over the half glasses and sets my appointment for Monday morning.

Monday morning rolls around and I shower before leaving to pick up the monitor. The phone rings. “Hello, Mrs. O’Hare, this is *Tina from *Dr. Spock’s office. I’m sorry, but we accidentally gave the last monitor away this morning.”

“What? I’ve been waiting since last Wednesday! Why wasn’t one set aside for me?”

“Like I said, I’m very sorry and there is no excuse. I can get you in tomorrow at 2:00.”

I was beginning to wonder if this was the stress test the doctor mentioned. The next day I was fitted with the monitor and told to push a button whenever I had any symptoms and record it on the journal I was given. Oh and by the way Tina, thanks for leaving the lead wires in a bird’s nest knot. I’ve always wanted to look like I have an alien under my shirt!

It annoyed me that I had to park at least three-quarter miles away from the doctor’s office, but it never occurred to me that I would be walking back the distance wearing a heart monitor. The jog back to my car left me huffing and puffing and my heart racing a bit. I push the button and record it in the journal.

Arriving home I let Max the beast-dog out to play. His new favorite toy is an old chewed up Frisbee. His favorite game to play with the Frisbee is to put it in the flowerbed upside down and then dig it out. I went outside to check on him to find that he’d dug up the entire bed…onto the front porch. As I swept away the loads of soil from my front stoop let’s just say I had another cardiac episode. I push the button and record it in the journal.

Later that day I picked my son up from school…all is good…nothing to push or record. Until, that is, we decided to go outside and enjoy the gorgeous southeast Texas weather we’ve been blessed with over the past few weeks. As the kids and I stroll around to the backyard, Max the beast-dog hones in on a small woodland creature with the gall to traipse into his yard. Like a round shot from a small caliber weapon, Max takes out after the trespasser. Halfway to his destination, Max falls to the ground and yelps as if he’s suffered a mortal wound. My son would later liken it to the sound of an elk during the rut. As a result my daughter and I take off in a full out run to check on the smallest member of the family. My mind goes straight to a compound fracture and my heart goes into another cardiac episode. I push the button and record it in the journal.

Did I mention my husband has been out of town for two weeks and my two children have taken up residence in my bedroom? Later that night, while sleeping with my daughter in my bed and my son on the floor at the foot of the bed, I find myself with no covers, hmmm. The chills set in as the subsequent nightmares ensue. I don’t quite remember the dream, but it had something to do with a dog and two children holding the strings of a redheaded, middle-aged marionette. I woke up shivering, my heart racing and pounding out of my chest. I push the button and record it in the journal.

At six o’clock…a.m. my daughter woke me to say that we didn’t have any water. I had forgotten to turn on the pump. When we run out of water the pipes start gurgling and burgling until they fill back up with water. After my daughter’s shower I went into the bathroom to get cleaned up. I turned to get a towel from the cabinet when the toilet decided to BURP, sending water flying through the air. I have to admit my heart jumped inside my throat. I pushed the button…but I refuse to record in the journal that my toilet scared me so bad that I had a cardiac episode!

And that concluded my 24 hours on the monitor. I can hardly wait to see how the stress test goes!

*Names changed to protect the innocent

FAITHFUL FEBRUARY

2011-02-14T11:56:00.000-06:00

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

There once was an old country song leader from Lufkin, Texas who served at the church I attend. Every year at Vacation Bible School time he would teach the kids the ABC song. The lyrics say:

A-Admit, tell God you are a sinner, and ask Him to help you become a winner!

B-Believer, that Christ Jesus is God’s Son and that God sent Jesus to save everyone!

C-Commit, give your life to the Lord, and ask Him to be your (clap) Savior!

The cool thing about this song is that it really is that simple to become a Christian. Here’s my version of the ABC’s (Plus a P) of becoming a Christian.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

ADMIT – A person must ADMIT that he is a sinner and that the penalty for sin is death. If he can do that, then he is ready to accept God’s free gift.

FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. ROMANS 3:23

FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. ROMANS 6:23

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

BELIEVE – One must BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the true Son of God and died on a cross to pay the price for their sins.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. JOHN 3:16

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

COMMIT – Once a person ADMITS they are a sinner and BELIEVES in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the next step it to COMMIT their life to the Lord. That means to let God be the boss of your life.

IF YOU DECLARE WITH YOUR MOUTH, “JESUS IS LORD,” AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. ROMANS 10:9

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

PRAY – Pray a simple prayer asking Jesus to be your Savior and Lord.

Dear God, I ADMIT that I am a sinner and that I am in need of your forgiveness. Lord, I BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is Your Son and that You sent Jesus to die on the cross in payment of my sin debt. Lord I COMMIT my life to You and give You complete authority over my life. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

A Letter To A Friend

2011-02-10T11:31:00.000-06:00

My Dear Friend,

I don’t know why it sometimes takes a tragedy to express what needs to be said. But unfortunately that’s the way it is. What hampers us from conveying the most important thing anyone ever needs to hear? Are we selfish? Is it such a hard subject to share? So what is our excuse? There is none…so here goes.

The truth is, my friend, you’re dying and quickly on your way to hell. Not because of the terrible thing that has crept into your life, but because everyone who lives is at some stage of death. I’m dying, you’re dying, we are all dying and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Yes, death is inevitable. But does a soul really die? No, a soul continues to live throughout all eternity. The question is…where will your soul spend eternity, heaven or hell? Is the choice really that hard?

So you think you’re already going to heaven. What if you died today and met God face to face and He asked you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” What would your answer be? I’m a good person. I help people. I go to church and I don’t really sin that much.

A recent survey shows over 94 percent of people believe in God and 89 percent of people believe in heaven, and 75 percent of those people think they will get to heaven. Few people, however, actually know how to get to heaven.

How do I get to heaven, you ask? Well I’m glad you asked, my friend, because I’m going to show you what the Bible says. It’s all a matter of FAITH. Each letter in the word FAITH stands for a different word.

F is for FORGIVENESS – Everyone needs God’s forgiveness. Why?

Romans 3:23 says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

We must realize that we are sinners and that we need forgiveness. We aren’t worthy of God’s grace.

A is for AVAILABLE – God’s forgiveness is available for all. How?

John 3:16 says “God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Yes, God’s forgiveness is available to all, but it’s not automatic. Why?

Matthew 7:21 says “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” So why isn’t forgiveness automatic?

I is for IMPOSSIBLE – The Bible says it is impossible to get to heaven on our own. Why?

Ephesians 2:8 says “By GRACE you are saved through FAITH, and this is not from yourselves; it is the (free) GIFT from God.” So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter heaven?

T is for TURN – Turn means to repent-change directions. Turn away from what; sin and self. Why?

Luke 13:3 says “Unless you repent, you will all perish as well!”

So when you turn AWAY from sin and self, you must turn TO Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” So…how do we do this thing?

Romans 10:9-10 says “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.”

What happens if a person repents of their sins and confesses Jesus Christ?

H is for HEAVEN – A place where we can live forever with God. How?

John 14:3 Jesus says “If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you can be also.” Eternal life begins with Jesus.

How can this be possible? How can I have God’s forgiveness, eternal life, and go to heaven? It starts with a simple prayer like this one.

Father, I know that I’m a sinner and that my sins have separated me from You. I ask You to forgive me of my sins. I want to turn away from my past life and turn toward You. Please help me to avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was raised from the dead, is alive and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me to obey You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Friend, if you do this easy thing you can have assurance of an abundant life here on earth with Jesus in charge of your life and the guarantee that you have a place saved for you in heaven. If you prayed the prayer, then welcome, you are a new member of Christ’s family. Then go tell somebody about it. They will be happy you did. I know I am.

Your friend,

Annette O’Hare

Rooms by James L. Rubart

2011-01-18T12:30:00.000-06:00

Author, James L. Rubart weaves a tale of self-discovery and reconnection with God in his best selling novel, Rooms. Here’s how Rubart introduces the book on his website.

On a rainy spring day in Seattle, young software tycoon Micah Taylor receives a cryptic, twenty-five-year-old letter from a great uncle he never knew. It claims a home awaits him on the Oregon coast that will turn his world inside out.

Suspecting a prank, Micah arrives at Cannon Beach to discover a stunning brand new nine-thousand square foot house. And after meeting Sarah Sabin at a nearby ice cream shop, he has two reasons to visit the beach every weekend.

When bizarre things start happening in the rooms of the home, Micah suspects they have some connection to his enigmatic new friend, Rick, the town mechanic. But Rick will only say the house is spiritual. This unnerves Micah because his faith slipped away like
the tide years ago, and he wants to keep it that way.

But as he slowly discovers, the home isn't just spiritual, it's a physical manifestation of his soul, which God uses to heal Micah's darkest wounds and lead him into an astonishing new destiny.

I first heard about Rooms from my mother-in-law who downloaded a free copy of the book on her Kindle. She raved about it so much that I decided it would be my first purchase when I received by nookcolor for Christmas. I had high expectations for the book and I was pleasantly surprised.

Rooms’ cover reminded me of another book I’d read, House by Ted Deckker and Frank Peretti. I admit I was afraid Rubart’s book would be a creepy House clone, but thankfully it was nothing like it. If you couldn’t tell I was extremely creped out by House and felt a little like I needed therapy after I read it. Just kidding, but it was creepy!

I highly recommend you download a copy of Rooms to your Kindle, nook or iPad…you won’t regret it. Or if you have not been blessed with an e-reader then get in your car, burn some fossil fuel and kill a couple trees so you can purchase a hardcopy of the book—at a distinctly higher price I might add. You won’t be sorry you did. By the way…just kidding about the tree-hugger shtick.

FOR THIS I AM DEEPLY SADDENED

2010-12-28T14:51:00.000-06:00

This statement gave me great joy…

“I saw, in one enduring moment, that the God who could make the Double Helix and the snow flake, the God who could make the Black holes in space, and the lilies of the field, could do absolutely anything and must know everything --- even why good people suffer, why genocide and war plague our planet, and why Christians have lost, in America and in other lands, so much credibility as people who know how to love.” Anne Rice

And the Bible says:

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good...” Genesis 1:31

This statement made me very, very sad…

"I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being 'Christian' or to being part of Christianity. It's simply impossible for me to 'belong' to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten years, I've tried. I've failed. I'm an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.” Anne Rice

And the Bible says:

“Then they asked Him, ‘Where is your father?’ You do not know me or my Father, Jesus replied. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” John 8:19

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23

For this I am deeply saddened.

Imagine

2010-12-09T10:32:00.001-06:00

Thirty years ago this week, John Lennon was murdered in front of his New York City apartment. Even after thirty long years, his death is still commemorated on the media and across the globe.

NBC’s The Today Show reported on an auction at Juliene’s Auction House that brought in $240,000 for the jacket worn by Lennon on the Sgt. Pepper album. In addition, a red sweater worn by Elvis went for $90,000 and one of Michael Jackson’s famous gloves sold for $330,000!

It amazes me what the world values and counts worthy to memorialize. People who survived the sixty’s remember Lennon’s death with great reverence. Scads of women over the age of fifty swoon with grief upon remembering Elvis’ 1977 death. Eighty’s and ninety’s pop fans are still grieving the death of M.J.

I wonder…what would Jesus’ tunic get at auction? Would the original manger take in a cool million dollars?

Unfortunately, Elvis, The King of Rock And Roll is dead. M.J. The King of Pop is dead. And Lennon, famous for touting peace in an un-peaceful world is still dead and in the grave.

Imagine what the world would be like if everyone put as much loyalty on Jesus Christ as on the kings of this world. Makes me glad I’ve placed my allegiance with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Yes, He died and went to the grave, but He didn’t stay there. So this Christmas season, remember the One who made the lame to walk and the blind to see and still has the ability to save lost souls. My Savior lives and will reign forever!

Rudolph And The Great Affliction

2010-12-02T10:26:00.008-06:00

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the classic 1964 film, has been a staple in our household and previously

in my parent’s household since…well probably since 1964. I know I must have seen the film a minimum of

forty times, but for some reason, I never noticed how incredibly mean-spirited the characters are.

The painful dialogue begins with Rudolph’s own father. His mom is willing to overlook the situation, but not

Donner. Literally, as soon as the fawn is born, with his “affliction,” his father goes on the attack.

Mrs. Donner: We’ll simply have to overlook it.

Donner: How can you overlook that? His beak blinks like a blinking beacon!

What can be said but, appalling. Shortly thereafter, Santa arrives on the scene. And if I dare say so myself,

Santa’s performance definitely earns him a spot on the naughty list. The way he treats this poor, suffering animal makes me understand why Michael Vick turned out the way he did. Upon seeing the so called “blinking beacon,” the conversation goes something like this.

Santa: Great bouncing icebergs!

Donner: Now I’m sure it will stop as soon as he grows up, Santa.

Santa: Well let’s hope so if he wants to make the sleigh team someday.

There it is folks…discrimination. And who is in total agreement with Santa, Donner of course. And to

perpetuate the problem the abusive Donner decides to hide his son’s handicap.

Donner: Oh Santa’s right, he’ll never make the sleigh team. I’ve got it, we’ll hide Rudolph’s nose.

Rudolph pleads with his father not to hide his nose, but to no avail, Donner has his way.

Donner: Alright, son, try it on.

Rudolph: I don’t want to, Daddy. I don’t like it.

Donner: You’ll like it and wear it!

Rudolph: But Daddy, it’s not very comfortable!

Donner: There are more important things than comfort: self respect! Santa can’t object to you now.

With the makeshift nose cover in place, Rudolph meets with other young reindeer at flying lessons.

He meets a nice girl named Clarice. Upon learning that Clarice thinks him cute, Rudolph leaps for joy,

flying across the screen! The nose cover Donner made for him accidentally falls off and his glowing red

nose is exposed to everyone. The following comments were made by bystanders.

Clarice’s Father: No daughter of mine will be seen with a red nosed reindeer!

Coach Comet: From now on, gang, we won’t let Rudolph join in any reindeer games.

Disheartened and depressed, Rudolph runs away to find his place in the world. A travesty has occurred

in Christmas Town.

What about you? Do you have an affliction that is affecting your life? Is it physical, mental? Are you sin-sick?

The Bible says:

“I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.

You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.”

Psalm 31: 7-8

Don’t run away from what ails you. Take your affliction to the Great Physician. He is happy to help heal

whatever is wrong with you.

And please don’t get me started on the harsh treatment of poor ol’ Herbie, the elf that dreams of one day

becoming a dentist. That’s a whole other story.

Do You Need God To Be A Drill Sergeant?

2010-10-28T12:51:00.001-05:00

Sometimes while I’m reading my Bible my imagination goes wild! As I was reading the thrilling account of the Lord giving Joshua his marching orders on Jericho, for some reason the voice of God turned into the drill sergeant, R. Lee Ermey from the (does a former drill Sgt. Make a terrible therapist) commercial by Geico Insurance.

Okay, you have to do the voice in your head as you read:

God: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days.” (Can you hear meeeeeee?)

Joshua: (But…but, Lord, Jericho is powerful and fortified and protected by many strong warriors! What good will it do to march around the city?)

God: (Now listen to me you jackwagon!) “Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.” (Now drop and give me twenty-five maggot!)

Fortunately for the Israelites, Joshua wasn’t living in mamby-pamby land and didn’t have to have a drill sergeant God to get him motivated. Joshua listened to what the Lord said; he actually obeyed the Word of God and was able to pull off an amazing miracle to boot. Wouldn’t this be an awesome world if we were all like Joshua and did what the Lord said the first time around? But instead we sometimes choose to do things our own way and as a result end up walking around that ol’ mountain again and again. So the next time you hear the voice of the Lord calling you into action don’t ignore Him, get off your can and get to work scumbag!

Note: Parenthetical text added by writer

Link to R. Lee Ermey commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APwfZYO1di4

History In The Making

2010-10-21T11:39:00.000-05:00

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9

I apologize for the lack of blog posts over the past month, but I’ve been pursuing another venture…historical research! I’ve always been intrigued by history, especially local (Texas) history. I suppose it’s something I picked up from my dad who’s quite the history buff himself.

Dad has a way of talking about things from the past that makes history come to life. For instance, I can remember him taking me and at least one of my brothers to the capture site of Santa Anna (President of Mexico and commander of the Mexican army). This extremely significant and yet little known historical site is located next to the Pasadena Paper Mill front gate, facing the Houston Ship Channel. After I had children, Dad and Mom took them to the site…along with the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas.

When I was a young child my family went on a road trip from Houston, Texas to Destin, Florida. Along the way, my father took us through the Civil War battleground at Vicksburg, Mississippi. At the age of eight (?), I thought that was the most boring thing we ever could have done. Now that I’m…well, let’s just say I’m grown up, I wish I could remember more about it.

My love for history has encouraged me in my latest writing project. I decided to write a book series based around the Lighthouse at Point Bolivar, Texas. I’ve always been intrigued by lighthouses and this one in particular because I have a familial connection to the current owners, (who, unfortunately I’ve never met).

The first book in the series is based on a fictional family who has been called away from their home in New Orleans to man the lighthouse during the Civil War only to find when they arrive that it has been dismantled completely because of the war. The book is a romance of a forbidden nature involving a Union soldier and a southern girl. Sounds interesting, right?

Some things I’ve learned in my historic research:

1. There was a Confederate ship Named the CSS McRae (My maiden name)

2. During Hurricane Ike, part of the Civil War Ship Monticello washed up on the Alabama coastline

3. The penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas was built BEFORE the outbreak of the Civil War

4. During the Civil War the penitentiary sold more than two million yards of cotton and nearly 300,000 yards of wool to both civilians and the Confederacy. Wartime production made a profit of $800,000

I had no idea combining historical facts with a fictional account could be so much fun. Please pray for me as I pursue this exciting new endeavor.

Martha Rogers – Inspirational Writer…Inspirational Woman

2010-09-15T11:00:00.000-05:00

When I first met Martha Rogers some five years ago, she was in full “conference-mode,” and I didn’t really get to know her. We met at First Baptist Church of Houston where she was hosting the annual Inspirational Writers Alive! conference, of which she is the State President. My first thoughts were, “Boy, this woman is a lot older than I am and she has more energy than an ADHD kid who forgot to take their meds!”

I soon learned that there was much more to know about Martha Rogers.

Martha is a retired English Composition and home-economics teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, singer, youth leader and First Place leader. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes a weekly devotional for the group as well as being the treasurer for the Writers on the Storm, Woodlands, Texas chapter. Martha also acts as treasurer for her local chapter of Inspirational Writers Alive! in Houston.

One of the things that is most inspirational about Martha is the fact that after trying to get published for a number of years (not counting her contribution in a novella entitled, Sugar and Grits) she finally received her first writing contract at the age of seventy-three!

Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3

Wow! Martha tells the story that she made the mistake of telling someone that she had absolutely no stress in her life. Shortly thereafter she received a multi-book contract with Strang Publishing. Her first novel had to be turned in within four months! Her book credits include:

Sugar and Grits (Not on the Menu) 2007

Winds Across the Prairie Series

Becoming Lucy 2010

Morning for Dove 2010

Finding Becky 2010

Caroline’s Choice 201 1

To Be Announced 2011

A Riverwalk Christmas 2010

Seven Bible studies

Contributions to Compilations

By Wayne Holmes

By Karen O’Conner

By Debbie White Smith

Multiple Devotionals – Including

Blissfully Blended, a devotional book for Step-Moms

Martha is a talented speaker as well. I recently heard her speak to a group of writers on the topic of Deep Point of View, explaining how important it is to let your reader know what’s going on inside your character’s head.

I’m delighted to have read the first book in Martha’s Winds Across the Prairie Series, Becoming Lucy. Here’s what the back cover copy says:

In 1896, after her parent’s deaths, seventeen-year-old heiress Lucinda Bishop is sent to Oklahoma to live with her aunt and uncle. But Oklahoma ranch life brings her more than she bargained for when she meets ranch hand Jake Starnes, a drifter who is running from his past. As her friendship with Jake grows, Lucinda faces emotions she’s never before experienced.

As Jake learns more about God’s love for him, he realizes he must face his past and the consequences of his actions, even if it means he will lose the one girl he loves. Will he be able to get his life together before someone else claims her hand…or even her life?

This was a wonderful book. Martha does a great job at drawing the reader into the lives and feelings of the characters she’s brilliantly created. I can’t wait to read the next installment, Morning for Dove.

I tease Martha of late telling her she’s my hero and my inspiration, and yet, I’m not really teasing. This godly woman is an inspiration to me and to everyone she comes in contact with. She has encouraged me to continue writing and has even helped me to pursue my latest writing project, a historical romance set in Civil War era Texas.

Thank you Martha for inspiring me and a whole new generation of authors yet to come.

Find out more about Martha Rogers at:

www.marthawrogers.com

www.marthasbooks.blogspot.com

All Good Things Must Come To An End

2010-08-30T09:35:00.000-05:00

All good things must come to an end. The end of the movie. The bottom of an ice cream sundae. The season finale of your favorite television drama. The last page of a really good book. And the number one thing I hate to see come to an end…summer vacation.

Kids these days have approximately 93 days off from school. (79 if they don’t pass the State mandated achievement test) Not even close to the 104 days Phineas and Ferb so aptly proclaim in their cartoon theme song. Let’s break it down:

May 22 – June 25 These are your prime summer vacation days. This is when you take the kids to Disneyworld the beach or a classic family favorite, the cross-country road trip. The weather isn’t too hot yet. The kids are so glad to be out of school that you can get away with practically any kitschy venue you desire.

June 26 – July 31 These are the days used mostly for taking care of business, i.e. appointment time. Since you scheduled these six months ago, you had no idea your best friends were going to invite you and the kids on their trip to the water park. But you can’t go because all three kids are having their teeth cleaned and you don’t dare cancel the appointments. The only excitement to be had is watching Lois the Corpse Flower bloom (woo-hoo) and then die (boo). This is also when vacation Bible school is scheduled, and youth camp and pre-teen camp. And if the summer isn’t slipping through your fingers fast enough, the stores are advertising back-to-school sales.

August 1 – August 22 These are the dog days of summer. It’s much too hot to step outside the air-conditioned house unless you’re headed straight to the pool. The kids are so bored and antsy there’s no pleasing them. The fights are endless and escalating! And then—school starts. There was, however, one unexpected high point during those long dog days that will forever stand out in my mind…

Toward the end of the summer of 2010, God laid a plan on the hearts of a group of boys, Taylor, David and Jesse. This plan culminated in the 2010 Back To School Worship Rally. Taylor was the worship leader and played guitar. Jesse played lead guitar and David played drums. There were also three back-up singers, Hannah, Kagan, and Kyle, a pianist, Terri, a bassist, D.J. and on the organ, Casey.

Two youth preachers spoke to the crowd of well over 100 kids and adults. One of them talked about how whatever we are truly passionate about is what defines us. Weather we are passionate about the football team, our friends, education, or whatever…that passion comes out and tells everyone around us who we are. And if we are as passionate about Christ as we are about other things, we could start a revival at our school campuses. Both ministers encouraged the youth to take their faith with them to school instead of leaving it at home.

I have to admit, going to Disneyworld, watching the Corpse Flower bloom, and teaching vacation Bible school were all a lot of fun, but nothing compares to the feeling you get when students turn their hearts and lives to Christ. I can’t wait until next year to see what Taylor and his group have in store for…Back To School Worship Rally 2011!

There’s No Place For That In God’s House

2010-08-04T23:04:00.000-05:00

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

Matthew 23:13

Something happened at church Sunday evening that took me back twenty-five years to when my husband and I were first married…

We joined a church close to our apartment in the Aldine area of Houston. We soon learned the congregation wasn’t “local” at all. The church had re-located from a very classy part of the Houston Heights.

We never felt welcomed into the church. The new member’s class we were put in consisted of an eighty plus year old teacher, several mature singles, and a few couples who could have been our parent’s age. Needless to say, there was no class unity.

The straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back happened when a visiting missionary was asked to take the stage and speak. He stepping up to the pulpit, scanned the audience, tugged at the collar of his plaid shirt and proclaimed, “Man, I’ve been away so long I forgot you can’t wear jeans on a Sunday morning.” I looked down at my precious husband’s Levi jeans…the nicest thing he owned. His eyes told me how he felt. We didn’t return and subsequently didn’t bother finding another church home.

Skip ahead twenty-five years. We’ve attended the perfect church for fourteen years. It’s the middle of summer and my darling husband decides to wears a pair of cargo shorts to Sunday evening service. This decision earns him the ridicule of not one, but two of the more “mature” male members of the church.

Hubby let it roll off his back…but I can’t. You see my husband wasn’t going to evening church in the first place because he had work he needed to get done before Monday morning. But he did it for me; and his reward…abuse from a couple modern day Pharisees!

What about you? Is there a Pharisee in your church? Or perhaps it’s you. Are your closed minded, old fashioned ideas causing someone to stay home from service, skip a week because their finest clothes are at the cleaners, or just stay away from church all together? There’s just no place for that stuff in God’s house.

Thankfully my husband is grounded enough in his faith that codgerly comments don’t affect him. I can’t help but think that it might have been a different story had the comments been made to a brand new baby Christian. I think there’s something in the Bible about causing new Christian’s to stumble. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be that guy.

Summer Chills! By Guest Blogger: Casey O'Hare

2010-07-26T14:02:00.000-05:00

Ahhhhh Summer. Clear skies, refreshing swims in the pool, and MURDER?!?!?! That’s right: it’s Summer Chills from Alley Theatre. Other than The Nutcracker, I had never been to a play before, so Mom decided it was time that she took me to see Wicked, but it was sold out, so we looked to see what else was showing this summer when we stumbled across a play written by an author we both knew, and loved, and bought tickets for Saturday the 24^th. Finally the day arrived; we put on the Ritz and headed for Houston. Our show was being performed on the Patricia Peckinpaugh Hubbard stage, which seats a little more than 800 people in elegant, red velvet covered seats which I’m sure will either raise your IQ or your social standings just by sitting in them, or at least that’s what it felt like. So what is this play we decided to go see you ask? It was the Alley Theater’s rendition of the longest continuously running play in London’s West End, since it first opened in 1952: The Mousetrap, from the third ranked bestselling author: (behind The Bible and Shakespeare) Agatha Christie!

The Mousetrap takes place during winter at Monkswell Manor Guest House in the English countryside just outside of London, owned by newlyweds: Mollie and Giles Ralston (played by Elizabeth Bunch and Chris Hutchison). Trouble begins when a woman is murdered in London, with a note left saying that she was only the first of the three blind mice to die. The only other clue is a note book that was left which included only two things, the address where the first murder took place, and the address of Monkswell Manor! Agatha Christie sticks to her usual motive of twists and turns which always keeps the audience guessing to the end. The Mousetrap is running in the Alley Theater till August 8^th, and I highly recommend you see it before it’s too late!

Three blind mice, three blind mice. See how they run, see how they run. They’ve all gone after the farmer’s wife. She chopped off their tails with a carving knife. Have you ever seen such a sight in your life as three blind mice?

Disneyworld 2010 By: Connor O'Hare

2010-07-12T12:17:00.000-05:00

Hook, Line And Believer welcomes guest blogger, Connor O'Hare, age 9.

Well, the summer of 2010 has been pretty good so far. I got back from Disneyworld three weeks ago. It was only my third plane ride ever. We stayed at the Polynesian Resort. It was beautiful! Our room had two beds and had three sumo belts ordered into Disney Mickey ears. (They were really towels arranged on the bed.)

The first park we went to was the Magic Kingdom. We visited Stitch’s Great Escape and then we headed to our first mountain…SPACE MOUNTAIN! I loved it. They had video games at the 1,000,000,000 mile long line but it was worth the wait. It was very cool and at one point my heart skipped some beats. They had like planets above us and even the Death Star! Then we did the frightening Haunted Mansion ride…it was way too scary. My favorite part is when two paintings of guys with rifles facing opposite directions turned to face each other and shot the rifles at each other.

(Mom note-this morning we went back to MK and rode Thunder Mtn. RR and Splash Mtn.)
The next day, day two we went to Hollywood Studios. First we rode Star Tours. It was pretty cool. It was like you were in a spaceship circling the death star. After that we went and saw Muppet Vision 3D. THEY TRICK YOU BECAUSE IT’S REALLY 4D. But it was very funny. And then we saw Indiana Jones live! The best part was explosives…TNT! I loved the very first thing best which was the old rolling ten ton boulder. After the show, Casey and Dad went on the Aerosmith Rockin Rollercoaster. Me and Mom went to Toy Story Mania 3D. Oh, what’s that? Who won in Toy Story Mania? Moi! By the way, moi means me.) After that we went to the Great Movie Ride. It was pretty cool. It had animatronics to show the movies.

Day three we went to Epcot. We ate lunch first—Chinese, it was yummy! Then we went to Ellen’s Energy Adventure, but it’s not TRRRRUUUUEEEEEE! The entire universe wasn’t created by an explosion, it was created by God!!!! Next we went to the thrilling, the chilling, the amazingly cool Test Track! They tested the cars for ice and then in a totally heated room and the brakes and my favorite, speed…woohoo!!! That was super fun. After that we went to Soarin’. We saw another 1,000,000,000 mile long line, but they had big televisions on the wall so everyone could play games like ‘train ride’, ‘you’re a bird’, and stuff like that. But it was just another movie ride aaahhhhhhh! Then we went to Finding Nemo and got eaten by a clam! (Just kidding that’s what the ride cart was.) Then we stayed Nemo-style by eating at the Nemo Café. Then, Spaceship Earth, woohoo. It was telling you all these things that happened through time and one was about the Egyptians discovering paper. (They took our picture) At the end I looked funny in my review.

Thursday, day four is the day we went to Animal Kingdom. First we had to take the bus. That’s the only way to get to Animal Kingdom. The first thing we did was It’s Tough To Be A Bug—Scarrrrrryyyyyyyy!!! 4D, woohoo…couldn’t stand it! After that we went to dino-land to ride Dinosaur. Can you believe the fiercest dino you’ll never see is mutated (Mom note-evolved) into the chicken…Mom doesn’t buy it! It had so many dinos, I don’t want to talk about it! After that I took the challenge of Expedition Everest. It was a pretty long line but nothing I couldn’t handle. It had a huge drop going through mines and the mountain of Everest. At one point the rails broke and you go backwards! And when you’re going backwards, in the corner A GIANT YETTI POPS OUT AT YOU!!! And I was the only one who saw it too. Well that’s pretty much what we did at Disneyworld.

It Had To Be You - By: Janice Thompson

2010-07-02T19:08:00.000-05:00

Each time my husband or I pass by this book by Janice Thompson we have to sing a couple lines of the catchy Frank Sinatra tune. My nine year old son has even caught on to the act when he hears the song. “Mom, Dad saw the book again!” I write this review with a heavy heart as this is the last in the Weddings by Bella series.

Bella Rossi, wedding planner and owner of Club-Wed, furiously plans the most important wedding in her young career for her precious Uncle Laz and Aunt Rosa. She is anxious to be done with the wedding because she knows the next wedding in line is her own. Family visits from Italy to attend Laz and Rosa’s wedding as well as an ex-mob boss and an overzealous swing band, making for an exciting pre-wedding blitz.

Major conflict for Bella happens when some other family members decide to plan their weddings very close to her own. Bella is stressed even more when she is ousted permanently from her lifelong bedroom for a construction project to house Laz and Rosa. The icing on the cake for Bella comes when she is forced to room with her sister who insists on talking into the night about her own wedding plans. Bella hits a figurative wall and is forced to slow down. During her down time, she is pampered by her loving family and she is able to re-connect with God which is always a good thing.

Thompson outdoes herself, humorously tying up loose ends in the book. She beautifully illustrates how we shouldn’t judge people by how they look and to not lash out at people when they severely get on your nerves…even if they are your sister.

If I had to say something bad about the book the only thing I could say would be the cover art. By the looks of things, the female cover model seems to have unfortunately wrenched her shoulders out of joint. The male model isn’t at all what I would picture to be a Texas cowboy and I would know. He isn’t even wearing cowboy boots. This is of course no fault of the author who wonderfully portrayed the Tex-Italian characters in the book. Kudos to you, Janice Thompson.

1985 The Year In Review

2010-06-21T21:11:00.001-05:00

-O. J. Simpson becomes the first Heisman Trophy winner elected to the Football Hall of Fame.
-After 6-1/2 years, the television series The Dukes of Hazard goes off the air.
-Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Soviet leader.
-Bhopal disaster: India files suit against Union Carbide for the disaster which killed an estimated 2,000 and injured another 200,000.
-New Coke, a marketing disaster is introduced. Three months later Coke re-introduces its original formula as Coca-Cola Classic.
-U.S. engineer Thomas Patrick Cavanaugh is sentenced to life in prison for attempting to sell stealth bomber secrets to the Soviet Union.
-Microsoft Corporation releases the first version of Windows, Windows 1.0.
-A Boeing 747 carrying Air India Flight 182 blew-up 31,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, South of Ireland, killing all 329 aboard.
-Route 66 ceases to be an official highway.
-8.1 Richter scale earthquake strikes Mexico City. More than 9,000 people are killed.
-A Delta Air Lines Lockheed L-1011 TriStar crashes at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, killing 137.
-Pete Rose gets his 4,192nd career base hit, breaking Ty Cobb's record which stood for over 60 years.
-The Unabomber kills his first victim
-The Titanic is rediscovered
-The Super Mario Bros. video game is released by Nintendo.
-The "Achille Lauro" is hijacked by Palestinian terrorists.
-United States Navy F-14 fighter jets intercept an Egyptian plane carrying the Achille Lauro cruise ship -hijackers and force it to land at a NATO base in Sigonella, Sicily where they are arrested.
-Calvin and Hobbes, a comic strip by Bill Watterson, was first published.
-American naturalist Dian Fossey is found murdered in Rwanda.
-Ford Taurus is First Produced
-Super Bowl XIX - 49ers 38, Dolphins 16
-Michael Jordan Wins Rookie of the Year

JUNE 22, 1985 – DAN AND ANNETTE O’HARE BECAME HUSBAND AND WIFE, TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DANO!

It’s The Only World We’ve Got

2010-06-02T19:22:00.001-05:00

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Genesis 1:26

A night ago I was privileged to eat at Pappadeaux Seafood. The meal started off with a steaming bowl of crawfish bisque. My hubby continued the crawfish theme, ordering the crawfish platter. Half his plate was covered with a load of fried crawfish and the other half crawfish etoufee. I feasted on one of their fried seafood platters. My plate overflowed with fried catfish, shrimp, stuffed crab and stuffed shrimp on a bed of homemade French fries. I used up four paper cups full of tartar sauce. The platter was supposed to have fried oysters too, but they have a tendency to make me break out in a rash so I opted for extra shrimp.

Between bites of the seafood feast my mind drifted to the British Petroleum owned oil well spewing crude oil, unchecked into the Gulf of Mexico. The same body of water where my family has fished, swam, played in the sand and hunted for shells for over forty years.

I’m sickened to think about all that oil ending up on Gulf Coast beaches. As a child growing up in Houston in the eighties, my family spent many a weekend on Galveston Island. One of my not so fond memories of those trips included watching where you stepped because of the pools of black tar that dotted the sand. Of course it was to no avail. The tar ended up on us anyway, staining our feet and subsequently the floorboard of our cars.

A list of oil spills on the internet revealed a spill in 1979 by the Mexican government owned oil company, Pemex. The spill added up to approximately three million barrels…I believe this was the cause for the tar on the Texas beaches for so many years. I remember staying at an upscale hotel on Galveston at that time and along with the usual shampoo and soap, guests were given oil-removing hand wipes for trips to the beach!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-oil companies. After all, it’s oil money that supports my family. I am however saddened that the oil has been flowing for more than forty days and no one can come up with a solution that will actually fix the problem. Worse still is the thought of the natural resource being literally washed out to sea. It’s the only world we’ve got people! And it sickens me to think that my youngest son’s coastal memories might now include watching out for globs of black goo in the sand just like when I was a kid.

Father God, You gave us the earth and the seas as a gift to use and care for. But right now we’re failing horribly. Lord forgive us for what we’ve done and help us to fix the damage we’ve caused to your glorious creation. Amen

Oh, and the Pappas family…they have already begun legal proceeding against BP for what this spill is going to do to their business.

Picture courtesy of Reuters.Com

Are You Listening? Aka: The Dummy, The Donkey and The Doggie

2010-05-19T14:48:00.000-05:00

God uses a multitude of interesting ways to speak to us individually. I wrote a scene in a book where the main character has to be hit on the head with an iron skillet before God finally has her attention.

My Bible reading today brought me to one of my favorite stories. It’s found in the book of Numbers, chapter twenty-three. Israel is on their trek toward the Promised Land. Nations that refused their request to peaceably pass through were quickly defeated. Both the Amorites and the people of Bashan fell to the chosen of God. With Israel drawing near, Balak, king of the Moabites called on Balaam, knowing his reputation as a prophet.

Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the Moabites, disobeying God’s command to stay put. As a result, God sent His angel to block Balaam’s way. Balaam didn’t see the angel…but the donkey did. Three times the donkey veered away from the sword wielding angel and three times Balaam beat her for her disobedience. God saw fit to allow the donkey to speak to her master.

“What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?”

“Because you have abused me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”

“Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day”? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?”

“No.”

Then God opened Balaam’s eyes and he saw the angel of the Lord and he said to him. “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you because your way is perverse before Me. The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now and let her live.”

Wow! I wonder what it would be like if God allowed my dog Max to speak so he could tell me what God wanted me to do. In fact I have an issue I’m talking to God about right now. I desire His perfect will and it would be so easy if Max would turn to me after a good ear scratching and say “Mom.” That’s what he calls me. “God really thinks you should do…” But I guess that’s not going to happen any time soon.

So what’s a girl to do if God won’t make my Weimaraner speak? And I don’t mean barking. I suppose I’ll have to get down on my knees, do the speaking myself, then shut up so I won’t miss what God’s trying to tell me.

Disaster In Texas

2010-05-01T18:37:00.000-05:00

On the morning of April 16, 1947, Texas City, Texas earned the fateful distinction of hosting the largest industrial accident in U.S. history. French freighter, SS Grandcamp was loaded with 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer destined for war torn Europe when the crew smelled smoke. Measures were taken to contain the fire, but it was no use. The ship was so hot the water vaporized on contact. The hatch covers buckled then blew off…golden orange smoke billowed from the hold. The ship’s explosion could be heard more than 150 miles away. Windows broke twenty-five miles away. Every firefighter from the Texas City Fire Department was killed. The intensity of the blast knocked two small airplanes out of the sky, the pilots killed on impact.

“I was about nine years old at the time. I remember hearing sirens day and night for two days straight. There weren’t any medical facilities in Texas City so the injured had to be brought to Houston. We didn’t own a television. Most of our news came from radio and word of mouth. I was curious and climbed a big tree in front of our Heights home. I saw a huge column of black smoke to the south that continued to rise for days. And that was over forty miles away. One story that’s always stayed with me was about a man having his head sheared off by a huge shard of flying glass. I have no idea if the story is true or not. One thing I know happened is the two ton anchor from the first ship was blown more than a mile away leaving a huge crater in the ground.” Harrell “Jerry” McRae, Huffman, TX

Businesses were destroyed. One hundred forty five workers at nearby Monsanto Chemical were killed. The explosion triggered a fifteen foot wave of water that pushed a steel barge ashore and also carried dead and injured people into the sea as it receded. Huge pieces of the ship rained down causing even more loss of life. Help began pouring in from Galveston and Houston.

“My neighbor and I worked for Hughes Tool at the time. Hughes had a first aid department with its own ambulance and my neighbor was the driver. People all over Houston wanted to send aid, so of course Hughes sent their ambulance to help with the injured. I lived off Lyons Avenue and Wayside in Houston, but I had a cousin who lived in Galveston. Her husband worked for the ship company and he was killed instantly when the ship blew up. She never did talk much about it. I went down there a year later with my brother. He had a sister-in-law who lived in Texas City. We were surprised at how quickly they had cleaned up and rebuilt in a year’s time.” Quinn Lansford, Porter, TX

The SS High Flyer was docked near the Grandcamp. It contained sulfur and one thousand tons of ammonium nitrate. Workers discovered a fire onboard. Tugboats tried frantically to move the vessel away from the docks. When the ship’s holds blew, the tugs cut their lines and fled. The High Flyer exploded at 1:00 am on April 17.

The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Red Cross counted over 550 dead. Estimates suggest that some 100 more were believed to be missing. More than 3,500 suffered injuries.

“I remember my mom crying and worried sick because both of her brothers worked at American Oil Company in Texas City. Fortunately they weren’t killed. When I worked at Dixie Pipe Sales the yard supervisor talked about being an ambulance driver down there. We heard all kinds of stories circulating about all the bodies and destruction. Of course we saw the pictures when the story came out in the papers.” Doyle Kendrick, New Caney, TX

It’s hard to believe that a single discarded cigarette is thought to have started the deadly chain of events. Stringent safety regulations were later put in place in hopes that an explosion of this magnitude would never happen again. We should all heed the words of philosopher, George Santayana, who said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Even though sixty three years have passed, memories of the pain and devastation continue to linger with those in our community who lived through…the Texas City Disaster.

2010-04-21T09:19:00.000-05:00

ANNOUNCEMENT

(Please feel free to share with your readers and/or writing group)

Writers, would you like to make money doing the thing you love most? If so, then this announcement should be of interest to you! Janice Hanna Thompson, author of over fifty novels and non-fiction books, would like to announce the debut of her writing course for freelancers titled “Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer,” available at www.freelancewritingcourses.com. The purpose of this course is to strategically train freelance writers so that they can earn top dollar with their writing. Students can purchase the entire course (Ten Lessons) for only $199, or students can choose to purchase individual lessons for only $24.95 each. Each lesson will include an audio file (mp3 for download), a corresponding audio script, a downloadable worksheet, a power point video, a bonus feature, and full access to the site’s forum, where Janice will meet with authors for group mentoring (at designated times). Currently, there are ten lessons available, but the site will continually grow. New, fresh material will always be added. If you’ve been looking for creative and exciting ways to earn money with your writing, your time has come! Please visit www.freelancewritingcourses.com and sign up for the newsletter, or write to Janice at booksbyjanice@aol.com for more information.

ENDORSEMENTS:
What writers are saying about Janice’s course:
“I've taken a number of classes since starting on this journey of writing, but Janice's course on freelance writing has been the most helpful. Full of tips, suggestions and her own writing experiences, Janice's course has something for everyone. If you are considering signing up for her writing lessons, I urge you to do so. You won't regret it!” – Edwina Cowgill, American Christian Fiction Writers member.

I've not only had the pleasure of taking online classes from Janice, but also attending seminars. I love the practical working knowledge she teaches because I was able to put much of it into practice immediately. From the classroom to real life in a snap, Janice Thompson gives the steps, the encouragement, and the simplicity to help any writer become self-sufficient. Would I tell you to take her courses? ABSOLUTELY! You will grow the ability to earn money with your writing! Every writer's teacher, Janice Thompson. -
Angie Breidenbach, Author of Creative Cooking for Colitis, ACFW PR Officer, Mrs. Montana International 2009

I participated in Janice’s online course in January of ’10. I found her to be very thorough and very concise in her explanations. She also took pains to offer lots of feedback and make it interactive. I know her classes will be great! – BK (Brenda) Jackson

My book-related website:www.janicethompson.com
My freelance writing course site: www.freelancewritingcourses.com
Explanation of course on YouTube site: My freelance writing course site: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-5IZSNaZFU
My facebook reader's page: www.facebook.com/pages/Janice-Hanna-Thompsons-Readers-Page/303537684650?ref=ts

My Home Is A Castle

2010-04-08T13:35:00.007-05:00

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good. Psalm 100:4-5

During a trip to England, my husband and I planned to tour Windsor Castle. Imagine that! I was excited about the opportunity to see the splendid home of the royal family.

Outside the castle, we waited in line, the chill of damp, gray gloom seeping into our bones. Then we heard something. A jet? It passed right over us. We moved up slightly in line. Five minutes later, another jet. I turned to my husband and said, “You know, honey, we’re not the richest people in the world. Our house is a fraction of the size of this place, but I wouldn’t trade it.”

He laughed and asked me why not. “Because as beautiful as this place is, it’s still under the flight path of hundreds of roaring jets.”

We had a good laugh together. But then I realized that our home truly is our castle—a blessing most of us regularly take for granted.

Beatitude Check: Be thankful for the home God has given you. It may or may not be a castle, but God chose the home you live in just for you. Celebrate your hearth and home with a bouquet of flowers or a prayer of thanksgiving.

From: Babes with a Beatitude Devotions for Smart, Savvy Women of Faith
Published by: Howard Books, a division of Simon & Shuster, Inc. 2009
Written by: MY DEAR FRIENDS, Linda Kozar and Dannelle Woody, my favorite babes with beatitudes! www.babeswithabeatitude.com

God Will Make A Way

2010-03-25T12:13:00.003-05:00

“…and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” Exodus 14:21-22

God has a thing about making ‘a way’ for His people when the situation seems impossible. He’s been doing it since He first freed the Israelites from Egyptian captivity and He’s still doing it today. Ever received an unexpected insurance reimbursement check in the mail at just the time you seriously needed the money? That was Him.

No, He might not part the Gulf of Mexico for you, (even though we have proof He could) but He will miraculously stop a two-ton SUV before hitting the sub-compact who’s slammed to a stop in front of you. Yes, that was Him too.

What is your Red Sea? Is it a lost job? Is it an illness? Is it coming up on April 15th? Only He knows how to part your Red Sea. Turn it over to Him and He will allow you to cross over on dry ground.

God WILL make a way even when there seems to be no way…

Photo courtesy of Connie Morgan/Flickr.com

iFever

2010-03-10T18:16:00.002-06:00

It seems of late that technology is exploding like an atom bomb. I’m reminded of my first cell phone purchased about 18, 19 years ago. It was about as big as a size 6 tennis shoe with a screen the size of a postage stamp. It took phone calls…that’s all it did.

Over the years my phones have shrunk in size and grown in the amount of technology they utilize. But it’s not just cell phones that have evolved; portable music listening devices have changed immensely over the years. I’m dating myself by admitting this, but I was once the proud owner of not only a record player, but also a Dynamite-8, eight-track tape player. It was bright yellow and shaped like that box thingy in movies that set off dynamite, complete with a plunger handle you pushed to change tracks. Did I listen to my Carpenters tape on the player? Yes…yes I did!

The eight-track gave way to the cassette tape. Anyone have a Walkman? And then we were introduced to the CD and the portable CD player and eventually the MP3 and MP4 player. Okay, I don’t want any techies harshing my blog because I’m not very tech savvy. I’m just hitting the highlights here.

Last weekend my husband bought me the famous Apple iPhone. What an awesome piece of technology it is! Now my phone not only takes phone calls, I can text, update my Facebook, surf the web, watch a movie and play an awesome App…all while driving my SUV! JUST KIDDING!

The real reason for this blog entry stems from stumbling onto an online video touting the wonders of the (heralding trumpets) Apple iPad! Gotta have it! This thing is amazing with its 9.7 inch LED backlit display, websites, e-mail, photos, movies, books, 150,000 apps and all for $499.

What’s drawing me to this product you ask? I just got the iPhone after all. It’s because my friend, who I’ll call Sam, because that’s his name, sat in church last Sunday morning and whipped out his Bible…on Kindle! Who does he think he is, reading God’s Holy Word digitally in the Baptist church? And that, my friends is why I MUST have the iPad. Come on April 3rd…well, maybe I’ll wait until the iPad comes down to four hundred fifty bucks.

Everybody Must Get Stoned

2010-01-26T14:27:00.004-06:00

Bob Dylan said it and I’m here to attest that his words are true. They are in my case anyway.

A couple weeks ago as I lay alone in my bed resting a pain developed in my side. I didn’t think much about, after all, I often have side pain with my Crohns Disease. The pain didn’t dissipate as I had planned. Instead it got worse.

It was a different kind of pain, like a contraction. Now I’ve given birth on three separate occasions—I know what contractions are like. The difference with this pain and a contraction is that with childbirth, you get a small break in between.

I’m a very patient woman. That’s the only reason I can determine why I lay in my bed writhing in pain for two hours. My husband at work, my two younger children at school, I decided to call my eldest son, home from college. He was down the hall asleep in his bedroom.

My son, rushed to my side. We came to the conclusion that I must be having an attack of appendicitis. I’d just gone through that only a couple months earlier with my husband.

The pain continued to worsen to the point that I began throwing up. The only good thing about this turn of events is that the pain seemed to abate for a few minutes after throwing up. I threw up four more times before I saw the emergency room doctor.

My husband met me and my son at the ER. I could tell he was frightened. He’d seen me give birth to our three children. He knew how I reacted to that pain. This was worse. He would later tease that he was sure an alien was going to explode out of my torso.

Thank God the emergency room was fairly empty and I was quickly taken back. After seeing the ER physician I was hooked up to an IV, given some fluids and a very strong pain killer before being rolled down for a CT scan.

The CT came back shortly with a diagnosis—kidney stones.

The following evening I survived the passing of my first stone. It wasn’t nearly as painful as the day before. I investigated kidney stones on the internet and was surprised (well sort of) to find that people with inflammatory bowel disease are prone to kidney stones. This disease just keeps getting better and better.

From my blog posts I must sound like I’m sick all the time…but I’m not. I’m living a happy, productive life despite my illness. In fact I praise God for the trials I’ve gone through. I even searched for a Bible verse to describe this current situation. Here’s what I came up with.

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:38-40

I’d like to think that when I was laying there unable to do anything but groan in pain that my “stones” cried out with praise to God!

But don’t get me wrong…I do not feel so all alone, because everybody must get stoned…

Snow Time Like The Present

2010-01-07T13:06:00.006-06:00

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.' Job 37:6

The Good Lord is certainly generous in Southeast Texas with rain showers, but snow…well not so much. On December 4, 2009, however, Houston, Texas delighted in a smattering of snowfall. Most school children were already deep into class or school would surely have been cancelled. Thankfully for my kids the snow lasted well into the evening so they had their chance to play in the soggy white drifts. Keep in mind the drifts are what accumulated on car hoods.

A Houston snow is about as common as a flock of Blue Footed Boobies migrating to Galveston Island. Speaking of Galveston, a blanket of snow covered Galveston Island on Christmas Eve 2004. The amazing pictures of the Galveston Seawall, coated in snow were all over the news and internet. There was even a coffee-table book released commemorating the “miraculous” event.

We’ve been blessed with a layer of the white stuff only four times in the past fifteen years including the December 4th snow. There doesn’t seem to be much accurate information on the history of Houston snowfall, but here is what I’ve learned from the internet and from having lived here over forty years myself. Apparently it has only snowed in Houston thirty-three times since 1895 when the heavens opened up and dropped twenty plus inches of snow on downtown Houston. Believe me when I say it has NEVER snowed that much in the one-hundred-and-fifteen years since. The December 4th snow marked two records; first it’s the only time it snowed two years in a row, 2008 and 2009 and it beat the previous record for earliest recorded snow of December 10th set in 1944 and 2008.

I’ll never forget my first snow memory. The year was 1973. I would have been nine or ten years old. Schools were closed at the first mention of snow. My brothers and I watched the news reports warning about icy roads and covering the tender vegetation as we snuck peeks out the window waiting patiently for that first bit of fluff to fall from the sky. When it finally came, we rushed outside wearing three pair of pants, four shirts, winter coats and rain boots. (My mom doesn’t like cold). I remember a snow man of about two foot tall and my face stinging from being pummeled by snowballs. I also remember my mom making snow ice cream and saving one final snowball in a plastic baggy in the freezer. Yes, these are memories that stick with you.

Another memorable snow happened in 1989. It was special to me because it was the first snow I could remember since my first snow in 1973. My husband and I played in the snow in the backyard of our first home. We made a six inch snowman complete with match stick arms and cat food eyes. Ahh memories.

It seems strange that my youngest child has seen snow three times already in his short life. And we’re looking at freezing temperatures at the end of this week. Do you think it might snow in Houston yet again? That’s global warming for you!

Is There A Doctor In The House?

2010-01-01T17:21:00.002-06:00

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. John 11:4

I’ve been sick since Pearl Harbor Day. I’m not the sort of person that complains much. Probably the reason why I waited twenty-two days before going BACK to the doctor for more medication. Unfortunately I feel as though I missed the entire month of December in my Codeine-induced stupor. I was diagnosed on my second trip to the doctor (on my birthday) with asthmatic bronchitis. I pray you never get this! Especially if you suffer from a compromised immune system like I do.

Somehow I managed to feel my way through the holiday season. Admittedly I stumbled through much of it. I narrated our church’s Christmas musical. I attended my son’s Christmas concert. I performed a reading from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I also attended my daughter’s Christmas band concert, my son’s school party and an AWANA Christmas party. I welcomed my eldest home from college, sent three kids to dental and medical appointments and attended a professional basketball game. I shopped, decorated, shopped again. I’m not mentioning all the things I had to skip due to excessive weakness. December is a tough month to be ill!

An illness of this degree will make you closer to the Lord. I found myself asking if this was going to be a sickness unto death. I had to ask because at times, the coughing, wheezing, night sweats and hours of daytime sleeping made me wonder if I was going to make it. Thankfully it was not a sickness unto death and I’m here to write about it. Thank you Father for sparing me that through my sickness You might be glorified.

A Christmas Carol Revisited

2009-12-01T09:11:00.004-06:00

My interest has been piqued this year concerning the real story behind the Charles Dickens classic novel, A Christmas Carol. I conducted a bit of research and found that the “ghost story of Christmas” was born out of Dickens humiliating stint as a child factory-worker following his father’s imprisonment for unpaid debt. Dickens was from a higher class than the other workers and became the recipient of their degrading jeers. This period allowed Dickens to see first hand the horrible conditions the people of London faced on a daily basis but the part that caused him to suffer the most emotional damage was the plight of the children of the poor. He decided to publish a political pamphlet about the difficulties of the poor man’s child, but decided against it. This pamphlet would become, A Christmas Carol.

Over the years I’ve seen numerous cinematic depictions of A few of my favorites have been:

1979 An American Christmas Carol. Dickens’ Victorian London becomes America’s Great Depression. Mr Benjamin Slade (Scrooge) as played by Henry Winkler is the remaining owner of S&L Finance, after the death of his partner Jack Latham, (Marley). On Christmas Even Slade and his assistant, Thatcher make rounds repossessing goods from people unable to make their payments. After firing Thatcher, Slade is confronted by his dead partner and three spirits; all those he has repossessed from that day. As in the original story, the ‘Scrooge figure’ is confronted with the reaction to his future death and finally sees the true meaning of life, love and the Christmas spirit.

1983 Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Scrooge McDuck of course plays the part of Scrooge. Mickey Mouse plays the part of Bob Cratchit, and Goofy is the ghost of Jacob Marley. The ghosts respectively were: Past, Jiminy Cricket, Present, Willie the Giant, and Future, Pete the dog?

1988 Scrooged. This hilarious depiction of A Christmas Carol introduces Francis “Frank” Xavier Cross, a ruthless television executive, played by veteran actor, Bill Murray whose corporate climb has lost him the love of his life played by Karen Allen and his only brother James, played by Murray’s real brother John Murray. Bob Forsyth plays the part of Frank’s dead and decaying mentor who of course represents Jacob Marley. The ghosts are played by; Past, David Johansen/Buster Poindexter, Present, Carol Kane and the Ghost of Christmas Future was a television faced apparition with a body made of ghouls. One of the best parts of this film has to be the character of “Cratchit” played by Alfre Woodard as Frank’s assistant, Grace.

1992 The Muppet Christmas Carol. Michael Caine plays Scrooge in this Muppet depiction of the classic tale. Kermit and Miss Piggy play the parts of the Cratchit parents with their tiny frog son playing the part of Tiny Tim. The best part about this version is the delightful music that seems to stick with you long after the film is over.

Which brings me to my final pick and the sole reason for writing this blog in the first place…

2009 Disney’s A Christmas Carol. This animated, 3-D version stars the voices of Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman and Bob Hoskins to name a few. Carrey steals the show with his portrayal of Scrooge, young and old and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. As you can see, I’ve seen my fare share of depictions of the story, not withholding the BORING ones starring George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart. (Please forgive me if these are your favorites.) But this version knocked my socks off. I’ve read several reviews from the “professionals,” some good, some bad. I’ll stick with the opinions of the four critics who saw the movie with me, a seventeen year old boy and girl, a nine year old boy and girl, and of course me, a woman of a certain age, tee hee. It was one of those movies where people clapped loudly at the ending, where tears were shed and hearts were touched. It stuck true to the original text…yes I checked. Sure someone had some fun with a bit of unnecessary cinematic magic in the form of a couple races through the streets and skies of London, but hey, you have to please the kids too. I would not, however, recommend this film for very young children as the scenes with the ghost of Jacob Marley were extremely frightening—even for me.

So in closing I will say, Disney’s animated portrayal of this classic novel has given me a forever appreciation of the genius of Charles Dickens. And I will add this comment; if you, or someone you know needs a touch of Christmas Spirit this year, take them to see this video and be blessed. And heed the words of Tiny Tim, “To remember upon Christmas Day, the One who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see. And God bless us, everyone!”

In Sickness And In Health

2009-11-18T13:12:00.003-06:00

In sickness and in health. I said that phrase twenty-four years ago. I said it, and I meant it. My vow was never put to the test though…my beloved never got sick. That was my job. After all, I’m the one with the chronic disease. Sure there’s been the occasional cold and flu, but never have I had to put my husband’s health in the hands of another. Until…

October 25, 2009 in the wee hours of the morning. My husband developed all the classic symptoms of appendicitis. We headed for the hospital. A CT scan confirmed our suspicions…a surgeon was called in. Our kids came in to see their dad before the surgery. It was hard for them to see their father like that. My parents graciously took them to eat; a nice distraction.

Eight hours later…the surgeon arrived. My husband and I passed the time that Sunday afternoon watching football games to take our minds off of his impending surgery. I cringed at the thought of him being put under. I didn’t know anything about this man who would cut into my best friend, and why was it taking so long for him to get there? And then he showed up; athletic and handsome, dressed in his Houston Texans shirt. He’d been at the game. My husband would later comment on his concerns that the surgeon could have been drinking. Thank God I didn’t think of that!

One hour and fifteen minutes. “…May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Ruth’s words in chapter 1, verse 17, uniquely describe the attitude of our twenty-four year marriage. We are BFF’s. For an hour and fifteen minutes I felt truly alone; even with my parents and two of my children by my side. That’s when God put His hand on my shoulder.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Yes, I know Lord. I reached to put my hand to my shoulder when the doctor stepped into the waiting room.

Your husband did just fine. The words I’d waited to hear. Yes, it was a simple appendectomy, but to me it was a big deal. It was a measure of faith.

Thank you Father, for warning me what was to come with my husband’s health. Thank you for the surgeon who expertly performed the procedure. Thank you for the ER staff, the anesthesiologist, the funny medical student, the brilliant nursing staff. And thank you, Father for Your reassuring hand on my shoulder when I truly needed it.

Do You Have Mad Skills?

2009-11-03T12:47:00.002-06:00

“And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded.” Exodus 36:1

Following the golden calf fiasco at the base of Mt. Sinai, God commanded the Israelites to build a temple according to His plans. The temple would be expertly made by skilled builders. The adornments inside the temple were of the highest quality.

Was it pure dumb luck that the Israelite camp was filled to overflowing with expert crafts persons? No…God provided the wisdom and understanding to those who were willing to do the work. There were engravers, yarn spinners, designers, tapestry makers, jewel cutters, those who forged gold, silver and bronze. God abundantly blessed the Israelites with these and many other skills needed to get the job done.

Likewise, God gives each of us certain skills to use for His glory. That is why Paul said in Romans 12:6-8, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

I believe God not only gives people spiritual gifts, but everyday skills too such as a beautiful singing voice, playing an instrument, sewing or create things from textiles, the ability to write… So whatever mad skill you may have, remember that it came from the Father. And never forget what 1 Corinthians 10:30 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Mum’s The Word!

2009-10-15T09:58:00.002-05:00

In 1980 I donned my very first (and last) homecoming mum. What is a homecoming mum you ask? Well, it was only last week that I found out homecoming mums are almost exclusively a Texas tradition. Being the selfish, ‘we are the center-of-the-universe’ Texan that I am, I assumed everyone participated in the gaudy ritual that is…the homecoming mum.

This is Texas and size does matter—well in homecoming mums anyway! The bigger the better is the mantra for Deep South beauties. A pancake sized chrysanthemum, either real or fake attached to a cardboard backdrop makes up the base of the corsage. The mum can be enhanced with stuffed animals, the school mascot or even goal posts made from pipe cleaners. An explosion of ribbon in the school’s colors, reaching up to and beyond three feet in length hangs from the mum. The ribbons usually bear the wearers name and the name of her beau, or interest, or date in bright glitter letters. Trinkets such as footballs, music notes and the like are attached as well. A veritable floral monstrosity that when attached to your shirt, pulls the garment down to your belly button! I suppose that’s why some where their mums around their necks like a breastplate.

I tried unsuccessfully looking online to find the history of the homecoming mum, so I went to a source I knew would give me the answer I was looking for…my mom. According to Mom who began her high school career in the tiny town of Milano, Texas (just west of Bryan/College Station), no one in her school ever wore a mum (and Mom was a cheerleader, so she would know!) Mom finished high school in Houston, Texas at Sam Houston High. She remembered the drill team girls always wore matching yellow checked dresses on game day and on homecoming Friday, a small mum accompanied their ensemble. That all happened in the gay old year of 1955.

Say, since my young adult novel is set in Kerrville, Texas maybe I should have one of the characters receive one of those big beautiful bust bouquets! I could start a trend for the entire USA! And then again, maybe not.

Yes…that’s me on the left in the picture. I remember me and my best friend, Krista, proudly wearing our matching cable knit sweaters to the game and literally sweating through to our Columbia blue mum ribbons. In South Texas, fall might mean football, hayrides and bonfires, but it doesn’t always mean cool weather. What you can’t see in the picture is our matching baby blue corduroy jeans! So who was the handsome stranger that gave me my one and only homecoming mum? It wasn’t a stranger at all; it was my mom and dad. No, it doesn’t have to be a boyfriend who gives you a mum. It just has to be someone who loves you.

What kind of person would I be?

2009-10-05T15:44:00.002-05:00

If I put off reading my Bible until later and later never came?

If I drifted off to sleep saying a prayer?

If I didn’t tell my neighbors about the Good News of Christ because they don’t speak the same language as me?

If I dropped my son off at See You At The Pole and sped away to an appointment instead of standing by his side and praying with him?

If I didn’t thank God for the countless prayers He’s answered?

If I didn’t remember daily that God sacrificed His Son for me?

If I had more eighties songs committed to memory than scripture?

If I became lax in the television programs I allowed my children to watch?

If I let the perfect opportunity to witness, get away?

If I didn’t give all He was encouraging me to give?

What kind of person would I be?

What kind of person are you?

The Confidential Life Of Eugenia Cooper

2009-09-28T16:02:00.004-05:00

Gennie Cooper longs for a Wild West adventure such as the ones Mae Winslow, experiences in the dime store novels Gennie reads. When the opportunity arises, Gennie jumps at the chance to board a train for Colorado in search of adventure before settling down with the drab banker in her future.

Her plans for a quick adventure are put on hold when Gennie is met with the challenge of taming the wild daughter of a widowed silver baron, Daniel Beck. Coerced into marrying Daniel to save her reputation, Gennie’s life is turned upside down in a Wild West adventure she will never forget!

I didn’t think I was a fan of westerns having read a few of Larry McMurtry’s offerings. But Kathleen Y’Barbo has the ability to weave a western that left me wanting to read more of Gennie Cooper’s story. Can you say…sequel?

This book had one of the best dun-dun-dunnnnnnn moments I’ve ever read. You know what I mean…something happens unexpectedly at the end of a chapter and you hear this sound in your head, DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNNNN!

This is the first book I’ve read by Kathleen Y’Barbo which is kind of embarrassing since she’s a good friend of mine. Now I suppose I’ll have to read some of her other books like, The Fairweather Keys Series. If they’re half as good as The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper, then I should be pleasantly pleased.

You can find our more about Kathleen and watch the book trailer for Eugenia Cooper on her website, www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Another Three Bite The Dust

2009-09-18T10:16:00.003-05:00

This week marked the passing of three more celebrities into eternity—Patrick Swayze, Henry Gibson and Mary Travers. Did you ever wonder how God comes up with which three people will forever be linked in history as dying in the same week?

Do you think there might be a formula, a process, a method?

Let’s examine the latest three entrants.
Patrick Swayze: born in Houston, TX, actor of stage and screen, (Dirty Dancing, The Outsiders, Ghost, Point Break) dancer extraordinaire
Henry Gibson: born in Germantown, PA, actor (Laugh In, Boston Legal), poet, voice-over actor
Mary Travers: born in Louisville, KY, iconic folk/protest singer (Puff the Magic Dragon, Blowing in the Wind, Lemon Tree, Leaving on a Jet Plane)

So the common denominator is (drum roll please) they were all the same age at death! No, while Mary and Henry were close at 72 and 73 respectively, Patrick, however, was only 57. That theory won’t work. Perhaps it was because they were all actors. No, I can’t find any evidence that Mary Travers did any serious acting. So what could it be other than their fame? But isn’t that the reason we pay attention to their deaths in the first place?

June was a landmark month for celebrity deaths, welcoming the likes of Farrah Fawcett and the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. The third celebrity, on the other hand, is a little sketchy. Both were only mildly famous, so I guess you can pick the celebrity you’ve actually heard of. On June 28, impressionist, Fred Travelina and pitchman, Billy Mays passed away. Yeah, like I said—choose your favorite. So what do these three…four celebrities have in common? They were all 80s icons, well, except for Billy Mays anyway. And Michael was popular through the 90s. No connection! Back to square one.

July marked the deaths of three American icons; Karl Malden, Walter Cronkite and Oscar Meyer, Jr. It’s simple to see what these three have in common…absolutely nothing. Except that they all three died really old and really rich.

August deaths welcomed the likes of electric guitar inventor, Les Paul into the fray. Following Les was American royalty, Ted Kennedy and third, Chanel, the worlds oldest living Dachshund. What do these three have in common you ask? Well, two are most certainly dogs, but where does that leave Les Paul?

Finally, there was another death in September, but this woman’s only celebrity claim was to be the oldest recognized living person, according to Guinness World Records. Gertrude Baines died September 11, at the ripe old age of ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN! The reason I added this tidbit of information is because I had to laugh at the newspaper report stating Mrs. Baines died of a suspected heart attack. Come on! At 115 can’t you just say the poor woman died of natural causes for heaven’s sake?

So I wonder—when a celebrity dies, do other celebrities begin walking on eggshells? Hmm…

2009-09-12T12:33:00.003-05:00

"The Premier Christian Fiction Conference"

STANDING FIRM...MOVING FORWARD

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)

DENVER, COLORADO  SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2009

Bestselling authors, publishing industry representatives, and newcomers to Christian fiction writing will gather in Denver at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference September 17-20 to compare notes, learn from each other, and encourage one another in the pursuit of publishing goals.

This year’s conference theme , Standing Firm…Moving Forward, will especially inspire the full range of talent and dreams in the ever-changing publishing world today.

This amazing conference will feature representatives from major publishing houses like B & H, Guideposts, Zondervan, Harvest House, Barbour, Steeple Hill, Summerside Press, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, Marcher Lord Press, Tyndale House, and Thomas Nelson, and top literary agents who will meet with writers and identify promising proposals from both new and veteran novelists. Conferees will have access to publishing panels, professional critiques, and customized workshops based on skills and interests.

The keynote speaker is New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Macomber, who has more than 100 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

Learn more about the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference by visiting www.acfw.com. Click on the left sidebar on Annual Conference.

The Five Love Languages For Women and To A Lesser Extent, Men

2009-09-09T13:13:00.002-05:00

Every fall our church offers a series of adult Bible studies to supplement the children and youth classes being offered on Sunday evenings. It was last year about this time that my husband and I took the big step and joined a class together…Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages For Couples.

I’d heard of the Five Love Languages books before, but had no idea what it was all about and had never taken the “test” for myself.

Here is a breakdown of Chapman’s Five Love Languages:

• Words of Affirmation
Complimenting your spouses looks, or how great dinner tasted. The compliments in turn boost your spouses confidence and self worth.
• Quality Time
Being together, doing things together and focusing on one another. Giving each other your undivided attention.
• Gifts
It is universal in human cultures to give gifts. They don't have to be expensive to send a powerful message of love.
• Acts of Service
Vacuuming, hanging a bird feeder, planting a garden, etc., done with joy, provide the spouse with this Love Language a powerful gift of love.
• Physical Touch
Sometimes just stroking your spouse's back or a peck on the cheek will fulfill this need. (Who are they trying to fool? We all know where this is going).

I was surprised and somewhat pleased to come to the realization that I scored highest on the Love Language—GIFTS. It made sense. I love it when my hubby gives me little tokens of his affection. A couple of my favorites have been, a cookie wrapped up in napkins left over from a luncheon, a piece of granite from the Galveston Jetty shaped like a heart, special goodies he’s procured just for me at a convention. Receiving these little sentiments mean a lot to me. It shows that he’s thinking about me.

My hubby, on the other hand, scored highest on the Love Language—PHYSICAL TOUCH…as did every other man in the class…go figure. Just another reminder that all men are driven by sex.

The “test” uses a ranking system to determine your top three or so Love Languages. Chapman obviously designed the “test” in this manner (for the men) so they would have a fallback Love Language to go along with their main language…sex.

And what was the number two Love Language of the men in the class? You got it, WORDS OF AFFIRMATION. The way I see it, after a man has been sexually satisfied, what better way to top off the LOVE experience than to have your woman tell you how good it (he) was!

But seriously, the class was very informative and enlightened me to things I never realized about myself. I would recommend it to all women. And I have to admit, what I said was true for only about 95 percent of the men in the class. There was the one effeminate heterosexual guy who scored highest on QUALITY TIME, but then again, no one was surprised by that either.

Have You Made The Choice?

2009-09-03T15:48:00.001-05:00

PRESIDENTIAL QUIZ

2009-08-31T12:45:00.003-05:00

1. Which U.S. president served the longest term in office?

2. How long can a person serve as president of the United States?

3. How can a president serve ten years?

4. If something happens to President Obama, who takes office as president?

5. If something happens to the Vice President, who takes office as president?

6. If something happens to the Speaker of the House, who takes office as president?

7. If something happens to the President Pro Tem of the Senate, who takes office as president?

8. If something happens to the Secretary of State, who takes office as president?

9. If something happens to the Secretary of The Treasury, who takes office as president?

10. Name the succession of the office of president after the Secretary of The Treasury.

ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS * ANSWERS *

1. Franklin Delano Roosevelt served 12 years from March 1933 to April 1945.
2. The 22nd Amendment limited presidential terms to two, four year terms, totaling eight years.
3. A VP can serve up to two years of a previous president’s term and still be elected president two more times making a total of ten years.
4. Vice President, Joe Biden
5. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi
6. President Pro Tem of the Senate, Robert C. Byrd (Yeah, the guy born in 1917 who was once a member of the KKK!)
7. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton
8. Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner
9. Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Secretary of Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Health & Human Services, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Secretary of Homeland Security

If you correctly answered between 1 – 5 questions, CONGRATULATIONS, you are much smarter than me.

If you correctly answered between 6 – 10 questions, you are either a political science major or the Secretary of Homeland Security just waiting for 19 people to keel over so you can have your chance to be the President of The United States!

2009-08-20T10:38:00.004-05:00

My mother went to great lengths to ensure her best efforts were put forward in raising her three children. Not only did she consult the ancient manuscripts such as the Bible and Dr. Spock…she also went straight to the experts. We spent countless hours listening to specialists in the field of life experiences hence this blog entry:

What I Learned From Bill Cosby

-Monsters are real and should be avoided at any expense even if you have to cover the kitchen floor with Jello®

-Blankets can protect you from most common monsters

-Mom’s believe in monsters and will help to protect you, but not all dad’s do

-A snowball left in the refrigerator will usually be thrown away by your mom before it can be used for revenge

-Revenge seldom works out for good

-It’s okay to be friends with overweight people…they can really come in handy in certain sporting venues

-Don’t stand directly behind extremely frightened overweight people

-Everything you need to know as an adult you DON’T learn in kindergarten

-The only thing you do learn in kindergarten is how to say goodbye to your parents and basic bathroom skills…you know—like how many fingers to hold up if you’re going a number one or a number two

-Kindergarten teachers train children for adversity by giving them pencils as large as horses legs, paper that still has wood floating around in it and lukewarm curdly milk with dry crusty stick-in-your-throat graham crackers

-A child old enough to attend school does not need an afternoon nap

-The only person napping in a room full of kindergartens will be the teacher

-Going to bed at three in the afternoon does not make Santa Claus come any sooner

-Dentists are sadistic…that’s why they make you talk when your mouth is dead

-Don’t complicate childhood, it’s the only simple time of life

I can still remember sitting down in the living room and Mom putting the needle on those wonderful old 33 LP records that so uniquely shaped my young life. Thanks Mom for caring enough to give your children the best education we could afford. And thanks Mr. Cosby for teaching me the truly important things in life. And if you’ve never listened to the original stand up work of Bill Cosby…you’re missing out on one of the great CLEAN humor works of the past

Love Finds You in Poetry Texas

2009-08-09T21:45:00.005-05:00

By: Janice Hanna

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the “Love Finds You” series from Summerside Press. The second installment I’d like to review comes from an author friend of mine, Janice Hanna. Her book, Love Finds You In Poetry Texas, turned out to be a exceptionally fun read! Let me tell you a little bit about the book.

Belinda Bauer realizes her quaint home town of Poetry, Texas is overrun by single men and only a few women. She decides to take matters into her own hands and becomes the town’s marriage broker. Thanks to some serious searching on her part, the streets of Poetry are soon flooded with brides-to-be. The problems arise when some of the brides marry the wrong men!

Janice Hanna weaves a wonderful story full of poetic charm in this prairie romance set in 1904. Hanna is famous for getting her characters into complicated fixes and she didn’t let me down in this book. When the town minister decides to re-marry, Belinda sends for a bride-to-be who seems to be perfect in print. When the parson’s intended arrives, she is more suited for center stage rather than hidden behind the pulpit!

In the end everyone ends up with the match God has planned for them despite Belinda’s attempts to join the hopelessly mismatched. Even Belinda who has vowed to stay single for the towns greater good finds herself falling for one of her own clients.

I would recommend Love Finds You In Poetry Texas to anyone who likes a quaint prairie romance filled with a strong Christian message about learning to seek God in every decision—especially decisions of the heart.

The Man Behind The Words

2009-08-03T18:44:00.010-05:00

I’ve heard people use the phrase, “touched by greatness.” After Thursday and Friday of last week I feel that the phrase could be applied to me.

Thursday night I was blessed to hear the great Cecil “Cec” Murphey speak to my writers group at Barnes And Noble in The Woodlands, Texas. Cecil is the author of 90 Minutes In Heaven,” a NYT bestseller for well over two years. Oh, and did I mention he’s also authored, co-authored and ghost-written over one hundred other novels? Cec spoke for only about twenty minutes before opening up the floor for questions from the audience. I wasn’t quick enough to ask my question before his time was cut off, but enjoyed hearing answers to everyone else’s questions.

Even thought Cec only talked for a short time I feel like I gleaned a wealth of information. A couple things Cec said to the writers group that stuck with me are:

Never stop learning to write

Write from your heart

Everything we write is autobiographical—we write from who we are

Learn to be okay with the way you are

Explore who you are as a writer and you will get more in touch with the Father.

“I would rather be disliked for who I am

than admired for who I’m not.” Cec Murphey

Friday night I attended Meet The Christian Authors Night (MTCAN) in the Woodlands. Forty-five Christian authors converged on WoodsEdge Church for a fantastic night of book signing, entertainment and cheesecake! The evening benefited the WoodsEdge Women’s Ministry to Single Moms.

I was blessed to have the opportunity to work Cec’s table at MTCAN. There I was with a multi-published author on the NYT bestseller list no less; my usual nervous self, fumbling to help this highly touted author. Cec however calmed my nerves immediately when he showed more concern about what I write and how he could advise me on my career than he was at selling his own books! Needless to say I was truly touched by this gifted, godly man.

I got tickled at Cec. He had graciously and eloquently spoken to several people in a row who had purchased his books and then leaned over to me and admitted he wasn’t very good at book signings! What a funny man.

Imagine the most energetic person you know and double it—that’s Cec Murphey. He claims to be able to finish most books in three to four months and I believe him. If you’ve never written a book then you have no idea how incredibly fast that is. My evening with Cec ended with him courteously thanking me for helping with his table and offering me a signed book from the ones left after the book signing. I’ll never forget my brush with fame when I was blessed to get to know the man behind the words…Cecil Murphey.

The Remodeling Project

2009-07-23T17:24:00.003-05:00

Crash! The last piece of pale pink and gray ceramic tile was pried off the wall, dumped into a rubbish container and hauled away. Fifty-year-old flooring was scraped away, revealing yet another tile floor even older and outdated than the one I had grown to despise. The baby blue walls and pink framing was the last thing to go. The old had to be stripped away, leaving a fresh clean slate for the carpenter to work his magic.

Do bathrooms have feelings? I don’t know, but I couldn’t help thinking I knew what that old bathroom must be going through. After all, I underwent the same process only a few years before. The joy I felt for the now barren walls was dampened, knowing just how far the room had to sink before it got to this place. The room had become a burden, an eyesore, practically unusable. The very same condition that Jesus found me in the day His remodeling project began.

Sin is like that. It roots itself so deeply in your life that it begins to feel natural. It almost hurts to remove it. That’s how I imagined the poor bathroom felt, stripped down to bare studs and rafters in the span of a single afternoon.

I freely allowed sin into my life, and I wasn’t a willing candidate for its removal. Just like that pale pink and gray tile, I knew my sin was hideous, but I had grown accustomed to it over the years. After all, it was just ugly tile. It wasn’t hurting anyone. That’s where I was wrong.

Deep beneath the aging tile, a leak had formed and mold began to grow. What was once the bathroom’s strong wooden foundation had become a spongy, moldy mess. The damage couldn’t be seen from the outside; nevertheless, it was there. The carpenter would have to dig deeper.

Living with sin in our lives can have the same effect as that mold. Even though it may not be noticeable from the outside, left unchecked, sin will rot and destroy whomever it touches. Our Christian foundation will become as weak as that water-damaged wood. No matter how small or harmless our sins may seem, the results can be devastating.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me!

I cried out the words David wrote in Psalm 51:10 as my petition to the Lord. Just like the hand of the carpenter on that unsightly pink and gray wall, immediately my heart was stripped clean of all its guilty stains.

Do I miss the old bathroom? I must admit, some fond memories were created within those walls. After all, my babies took their first real bath in that old cast iron tub, but no, the time for change was long overdue. The ugly pink and gray tile flooding the walls and counter top has been replaced with beautiful cultured marble. The rotted wood and broken peeling floor tile is gone, and strong travetine tile stands in its place.

Do I miss what was stripped from my life? Not at all. Where there was sadness, I have unspeakable joy. Where there was insecurity, I have peace beyond measure. Where there was no caring for my neighbor, I have love in abundance.

How about you? Is there hidden damage beneath your exterior? Pick up the Book. Dial in to I John 1:9. The Master Carpenter will answer the call, and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I have found that “home improvement” can be tricky work. It’s not always best to “do it yourself.” Without professional help, I would have found myself in way over my head. The same thing can be said about self improvement. Had I not contacted the One who knows my “divine design,” the results would have been disastrous. Thank You, God that I can say, “as for me and “this old house,” we will serve the Lord.”

Meet The Christian Author Night 2009

2009-07-13T17:26:00.003-05:00

Deep Thoughts By Annette O'Hare

2009-06-27T21:19:00.001-05:00

Certain Hollywood movies have plot lines so confusing, judging committees give them awards just because they’re too embarrassed to admit they didn’t understand it either.

If left to his own devices, my husband would watch every sport available on television. And in the event there wasn’t even a soccer game scheduled, he would watch re-runs of classic Super Bowl games.

Catch phrases come and go. Last year it was, “paradigms are shifting.” This year it’s “not so much.”

If my children had grown up watching The Three Stooges, would they have turned out as brilliant as they are? Sure explains a lot about how I turned out.

Transformers II is one recent movie that doesn’t portray our military as a bunch of idiots. Thank you Michael Bay and Stephen Spielberg.

The church youth leader made the parents write letters every day to my kids while they’re away at camp. One day I got lazy and sent them a sheet of paper with a big “R” on it. It’s a letter right.

Most people know more about what’s going on with their Facebook friends than their own kids. (I sure hope I’m not one of them.)

People who have never tried to get a book published have absolutely no idea how hard it actually is to get a book published. If you are a person with little patience; don’t try to get a book published

All of my favorite John Wayne movies are not westerns. All of my favorite Larry McMurtry books are not westerns. I really don’t have anything against westerns, but strangely I don’t care for country and western music.

A marching band in a parade always makes me cry. A girl holding the American flag while riding a horse during the National Anthem before the rodeo makes me cry. My husband thinks I cry at very strange things.

It’s really hard for people to understand or even believe someone who says they have a disease that they can’t physically see with their own eyes. Would people try to understand diabetics better if they had big “D” shaped whelps on their bodies?

The Disney cartoon, Phineas and Ferb makes me laugh way more than most comedy shows designed for adults. And I’m not embarrassed when my kids watch it with me.

People who feel they have to write a book should put that idea aside and learn the craft of writing before writing a single word.

Ups And Downs

2009-06-10T09:55:00.003-05:00

Graduation Day 2009. I am now the proud mother of a high school graduate. One down, ten years and two more to go. It’s funny how whatever affects my child’s life seems to affect me a thousand times more than it does them. Why is that? There have been many ups and downs leading up to this summer. Let me share.

I’ll start with my oldest, the apple of my eye, my firstborn, my magnum opus!
Up – He graduated #10 of 450 and was accepted to Texas A&M Engineering School
Down – He’ll be moving away from home in a couple months
Up – He received several thousand dollars in scholarship money
Down – The money will only pay about half his first semester
Up – One scholarship came equipped with a mentor
Down – I don’t think he actually exists

Next is my daughter, the princess of the universe, the most important woman in my life!
Up – She earned her letter jacket in band
Down – She didn’t make drum major
Up – She’s the new secretary/treasurer of the band
Down – I got rooked into the band booster treasurer position (kidding, not a downer, hee hee)

Finally, there’s my youngest, the one who makes me smile, my baby.
Up – He made all A’s and B’s this year in school
Down – He didn’t get recognized for his grades because of one poor conduct grade
Up – He graduating from second grade with flying colors
Down – He’s going into third grade and will have to take the dreaded TAKS test

I was wondering…what if King David treated his ups and downs with the same attitude as me. Up – Israel is protected by the army of God
Down – A really big giant has plans to crush anyone who challenges him
Up – I was anointed king over Judah
Down – I’ll never become king because crazy old king Saul is trying to kill me

But David handled his situation much different. The Bible says, David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

Wow! Thank goodness King David didn’t share my attitude or the Bible might have turned out very different. His attitude should be a lesson to everyone facing the ups and downs life has to offer. Oh, and by the way, my list is purely tongue in cheek. As you can plainly see, the Lord has blessed me beyond measure.

LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS?

2009-05-28T09:04:00.006-05:00

The latest book I have to review is by an author familiar to this blog, Anita Higman. I have only read four books by Anita; an offering in a novella collection, The Volstead Manor Series including, ANOTHER STAB AT LIFE, and ANOTHER HOUR TO KILL, (love these!) and her latest novel, LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS.

This most recent book is set in a town very near and dear to my heart, Humble, Texas. You see, I live about five miles from Humble. It is also the social hub of east Montgomery County. Heck, you can’t even see a picture show unless you go to Humble.

Main character, Trudie Abernathy agrees to a blind date set up by her sister, Lane. The date turns into a romance, just in time for Lane to decide she’s in love with the man, Mason. Trudie backs off from the relationship even though Mason is obviously falling in love with her.

One particular scene has Mason wooing Trudie at the boutique where she works. He figures out that he is being shunned by the woman of his dreams and vows to find out what has happened.

“So, something happened between the time I dropped you off last night and the time you arrived here this morning. And being a great lover of mysteries, I intend to find out what it is.” He turned and strode to the door. “And in the meantime, prepare yourself, Miss Abernathy.”

She blinked. “For what?”

Mason cocked an eyebrow. “To be romanced.”

Trudie picked up a sheet of paper off the counter and fanned her face.

“Are your cheeks tingling again?” He opened the front door.

“Yes.”

“Good.” And on that note, Mason grinned and walked out the front door of Bloomers Boutique.

LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS made me finally realize what it is I love so much about Anita Higman’s writing. Her books remind me of my two favorite Larry McMurtry novels, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT and THE EVENING STAR!

Perhaps it’s because all the books I’ve mentioned, including these two McMurtry novels are set in places very close to my heart. And after all, who wouldn’t adore walking the streets of Humble or Houston in another person’s skin and mind. Maybe I just love Higman and McMurtry’s strong female main characters and the self-made male characters who try to tame them. Hmm, interesting thought. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read and a very satisfying happily ever after.

Swine Flu Hits Porter, Texas!

2009-05-15T11:56:00.001-05:00

But seriously folks, Swine Flu has really put a cramp in everyone’s style here in southeast Texas. I felt it safe to post my “piggy flu dog” pic since the pandemic scare seems to be over, for now at least.

I tell you though, things got pretty touchy around here for a while. When my eight year old son learned on the news that the pig-demic started in Mexico, he openly blamed everyone of Hispanic descent for his field trip cancellation.

My little boy isn’t the only one suffering because of overreaction to the pork product plague. I’ve had two different writer’s groups cancel events due to the pig bug, and my older two children had their school trip cancelled in honor of the Porky Pig virus too.

So what does the Bible say about over-reacting? Here’s a good one: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 Wow! It’s really true; God does know how to handle everything!

I’m relatively sure there is no Swine Flu Avenger coming to eradicate hog hay fever. There’s likewise as much chance the human race will unexpectedly give up worrying about things like soo-ey sickness. We can, however, listen to the One who holds our future in His hands and turn to Him when things like the boars head bug rears its ugly snout!

I Was Visited By A Demon!

2009-05-09T09:36:00.005-05:00

If ever I’ve read a book I think will stay with me for days to come, it’s DEMON A MEMOIR. The author brilliantly weaves a mesmerizing tale of a man, lost in his own failed life and a demon (a fallen angel) intent on having his story published by that man.

Clay is an editor in Boston, trying to recover from a devastating divorce. The demon, Lucian, gives a beautiful account of the Biblical story from his own point of view. Lucian’s story begins at pre-creation and ends at the resurrection. The fantastic thing about hearing the story as the demon saw it unfold is how passionate he is to relate it to clueless Clay who thinks the Bible stories from his youth were just that—stories.

There are so many incredible aspects of this book that it’s hard to know which part to talk about. But one thing that struck me was when Clay asked the demon whether or not he was going to hell. One scene in particular has Lucian explaining the outcome of a works based life. Lucian says.

“If you insist on being judged by the merit of your works, El will honor that. I’ve seen it many times. But what I haven’t seen is anyone who measured up. Maybe you’ll be the first, hmm?”

Wow! Demon is a MUST read for sinner and saint alike. But you have to ask yourself, is it worth spending twelve, fifteen bucks for a book you’re going to finish in one maybe two days because you can’t put it down! Just kidding, Demon is well worth the money.

DEMON A MEMOIR is the first novel by Tosca Lee, a former Mrs. Nebraska and Smith College graduate. I briefly met Tosca at a book signing on my recent trip to Mount Hermon, CA. I asked her to autograph the book for my husband, Dan. She signed the book then told me, “Since the book is about a man who becomes obsessed with a demon, I wrote, Dan how does your story end?” Oooooh! This FIRST book was so very well written, (a Christy Award Nominee) I will surely buy Tosca’s second novel, “Havah, The Story of Eve.”

Buy Indie Day

2009-04-29T16:40:00.004-05:00

Friday, May 1st has been declared “Buy Indie Day.” The idea is for everyone to find an independent bookstore in their area and buy a book. (Not a big box bookstore.) In these harsh economic times this simple act will help many independent bookstores to stay in business.

Here’s a link to an article about “Buy Indie Day” from the people at Indiebound.org. http://www.indiebound.org/articles/paige/buy-indie-day

Where will you shop for your “Buy Indie Day” book? I already have a place in mind; it’s called Ladybug Childrens Books and Homeschool Supply in Kingwood, Texas. I’ve never been in this shop, but found out it’s owned by an old friend from church. I found this website, so if you can’t make it out to her store, it looks like she has an awesome online collection to choose from. http://stores.homestead.com/LadybugChildrensBooks/StoreFront.bok

Here are a few suggestions for independent bookstores in the Houston area:
Brazos Bookstore http://www.brazosbookstore.com/
Murder By the Book http://www.murderbooks.com/
Out Of Print Bookstore http://www.outofprintbookstore.com/
Long-Lost Friends New/Used Books http://www.llfbooks.com/

Now get out there this Friday and buy some books! Happy reading everyone!

Bookstore Photo by Paul McRae: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmcd9/

It Is No Secret

2009-04-26T10:47:00.006-05:00

In the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter twelve, verse one, Solomon says to “remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come….” He goes on to list some of those troubles.

“When the keepers of the house tremble, (hands) and the strong men stoop, (legs) when the grinders cease because they are few, (teeth) and those looking through the windows grow dim; (eyes) when the doors to the street are closed (ears) and the sound of grinding fades; (speech) when men rise up at the sound of birds, (sleeplessness) but all their songs grow faint; (hearing) when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; (old age phobias) when the almond tree blossoms (white hair) and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred (weakness). Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.” Ecclesiastes 12:3-5

I accompanied my parent’s Sunday school class to an assisted living home to perform for the residents. My amazing father and mother, who are quite possibly older than some of the residents, organized the entire event. Along with their classmates they sang some old songs; “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” “For Me And My Gal,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” and “It Is No Secret.”

The audience was comprised of mostly women and a few men, all in different stages of lucidity. I noticed a sign on the facility stating they were ‘memory care specialists.’ The locked doors to the outside world told me what that meant.

As I stood to the side waiting for my queue to go on “stage” I notice a woman sitting alone. She didn’t look at the performers or acknowledge my attempts to make eye contact with her. But when those old songs began playing I saw her lips start to move—she new every word. The music touched her. Our visit blessed someone.

Solomon goes on in that same chapter to encourage us to remember God even in our old age before it is too late. My precious parents are doing just that. They honor God by giving their time to better the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. Why do Mom and Dad do it? Because they want those forgotten in the nursing home to know these lyrics:

It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others, He'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll pardon you. It is no secret what God can do.

Top Ten Things Overheard at 2009 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

2009-04-21T11:21:00.003-05:00

10. A pitch is selling yourself and your ideas to someone you’ve never met in say, 30 to 45 seconds. No pressure—if you’re ready that is. Austin Boyd, Author, Speaker

9. Things to remember while at conference. Keep your hands open to God; maintain a teachable spirit; pace yourself, it’s a process. Mona Hodgson, Author

8. Three most important things to teens today. Friends, friends, friends. Robert Irvin, Acquisitions Editor, Standard Publishing

7. There is no one best way to write a novel. But to get published you need, content, craft and connections. Randal Ingermanson, Author, Mentor, Genius

6. To the postmodern generation, everything is gray, there is no black and white. Jesse Florea, Acquisitions Editor, Focus on the Family

5. Editor appointments at writer’s conferences are like speed dating. You must be prepared and confident. Tell me what the story is about. Don’t hand me your one-sheet and expect me to read it while you stare at the part in my hair. Know who your audience is and have questions ready to ask me. Sue Brower, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Zondervan

4. I’ll critique anything you bring me, fiction, nonfiction, zombie erotica. James Scott Bell, Author

3. Yes, the children’s market is slow right now, but did you know there are more children now than all the baby boomers put together. Those kids are going to read our books. Christine Tangvald, Author, Speaker

2. Love the idea of a dog rescue mystery…but it doesn’t really fit with what I’m doing. But it looks clever and fun! Keep at it! Shannon Marchese, Editor, WaterBrook Publishing

1. Thank You, God for writing the all time best seller. Anonymous, heard during prayer time

I Once Was a Star

2009-04-16T11:55:00.002-05:00

Acting has always been a great love of mine. Probably the reason why I’ve lent much time to the writing of plays and skits. Last week I was pleased to hear the words, “Mama, I got a part in the school play!” Pure joy to my ears. Yes, the thought of making a peanut costume for my eight-year-old son excites me to no end.

What is it about the stage that draws me in like a moth to a flame? Is it the chance to become someone or something else? Is it the love for your character you feel from of the audience—or the hatred? Is it the opportunity to be the center of attention? Perhaps.

Yes, I was Frosty the Snowman in the first grade play. I was on top of the world as the seven year old goddess of the cafetorium stage. Imagine my disappointment when the following year I was relegated to chorus member; made to wear a felt skirt and Mickey Mouse ears. I don’t remember any plays after that. You can only make it to the ranks of Frosty once in a lifetime.

My daughter has adopted my flare for acting as well. She was, after all, chosen to play the starring role of Big Bertha Lee in her first grade play, “Three Nanny Goats Gruff.” And yes, her performance was positively stunning.

I’ve had some interesting roles in recent years. There was Nanna in “The Plane Truth About Christmas,” where I played a rapping grandma. That was fun. I performed another rap number in the children’s play starring Hans Bronson. I concocted my own version of Mini Pearl complete with a gingham dress and a price tag hanging from my hat. One of the most fun roles was playing the parts of Fibber McGee and Molly with my husband. He’s a great actor too.

So how do you relate something of God to the ignoble art of acting? Well, let’s see. The ability to act is surely a gift from the Almighty. Just as we have received gifts such as singing or public speaking, acting is equally a gift from God. And there are many actors in the Bible as well. Take a look at Abraham and Sarah, their brother/sister act was so convincing a king believed them. Well, I guess that was actually lying, not acting.

In closing, I don’t think acting is looked down on by God unless the performance is a promotion of evil or if the role causes you to do something Biblically incorrect. Therefore go thou and act…be a clown, or even Frosty the Snowman should the chance come along. Or in my son’s case, go nuts…be the peanut!

2009 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

2009-04-08T23:07:00.004-05:00

2009 marked the 40th anniversary of the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. I’m happy to report that I was a first time attendee—and a satisfied customer.

For those of you who’ve never heard of Mount Hermon, the conference center itself is nestled in the small town of Mount Hermon, or Felton, California, about forty minutes south of San Jose. The encampment is surrounded by towering Sequoias and magnificent foliage. And because it is on a “mountain” and located on such a large plot of land, you find yourself doing quite a bit of walking—and hiking. Did I mention that my cabin was at the bottom of one of those mountains? But I digress.

Mount Hermon was a veritable treasure trove of editors, agents, publicists and even the rare published Christian author. I had the pleasure to meet Sue Brower, Acquisitions Editor for Zondervan, and Bob Irvin, Acquisitions Editor for Standard Publishing as well as Vicki Crumpton, Executive Editor for Revell, and Jesse Florea, Clubhouse Editor for Focus On The Family. I also met with Rachel Zurakowski, agent for Books & Such Literary Agency and had lunch with agents, Jonathan Clements of the Nashville Agency and Natasha Kern, founder of Natasha Kern Agency. Good feedback was received on my work from Shannon Hill Marchese of WaterBrook Publishing and author, Randy Ingermanson. Let’s see… I also met and took classes from a few famous Christian authors: Mona Hodgson, Curt Iles, Anita Higman, Brandilyn Collins, John Olson, DiAnn Mills, Mary DeMuth and Tosca Lee.

One great part of the conference was guest speaker, Bill Butterworth, author and speaker extraordinaire. The man had us literally aching from laughing so hard at his wonderful stories on raising five children, his own childhood and his career as a speaker to dozens of NFL football teams. Another wonderful thing about the conference is the man who has been the emcee for the past 33 years, Dave Talbot. As a concert pianist, Dave led worship at the conference with music played on a grand piano and an impressive old organ—you know the ones with lots of knobs and buttons.

Yes Mount Hermon is over and in its wake; much was left imprinted on my heart. I can truly say I took much away from the conference. There are the publishing connections, a deeper publishing knowledge, friendships, a closer walk with my Lord, and last but not least…astute familiarity with leg muscles I never knew existed.

In closing I'll say, the food was great, the people running the encampment as well as the locals were overtly hospitable and there really was a sweet spirit about everyone in attendance. Will I go back? I'll give it a very probable yes!

INTIMIDATE – (in-tim-i-deyt)

2009-03-15T21:57:00.003-05:00

-verb (used with object) –dat-ed, -dat-ing
1. To make timid; fill with fear.
2. To overawe or cow, through the force of personality or superior display of wealth, talent, etc.
3. To force into or deter from some action by inducing fear.
4. The feeling you get when sending your manuscript to Randy Ingermanson for a group critique session at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in April.

Have you seen this guy’s website? Check it out. Then go write a book…because you’ll know everything you ever needed to know! http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/index.php

DragonSpell by: Donita K. Paul

2009-03-02T10:35:00.003-06:00

Fantasy novels have never been my cup of tea. As a youth, I never would have been caught reading The Lord Of The Rings. Now mysteries on the other hand…. But now that I have a son who lives in a world of dragons, sword fights and the like, I succumbed and read Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul. I must admit, I really enjoyed it.

Now this is young adult Christian fantasy done right. Kale Alerion, a young slave girl from the town River Away, is on her way to be trained in The Hall when two of Paladin’s servants whisk her away on a quest to find the Meech dragon egg. She is thrown into a world of adventure and otherworldly intrigue. Along the way Kale finds she has gifts she knew nothing about. She also receives a first time glimpse at her own faith.

Meeting Wulder, the Supreme Being in the story and Paladin, the embodiment of Wulder, Kale finds out the tales she heard in the tavern she worked in, aren’t really tales at all. Through the quest for the mysterious Meech egg, Kale learns that there is a big difference in being a slave and becoming a servant.

The book is definitely written for an older audience—middle grade and up due to its length and difficult verbiage. I had to explain some of the concepts on a more basic level for my eight-year-old to understand. Overall, Ms. Paul did a wonderful job in marrying the fantasy concepts of the book to the Christian faith in a way that wasn’t disrespectful in the least. I would highly recommend this book to any parent searching for a Christian alternative to secular fantasy books.

I can’t wait to read the sequel book in the DragonKeeper Chronicles…Dragonquest!

The Great Debater

2009-02-11T14:10:00.001-06:00

My teenage daughter has found a new pastime. It’s one of those nasty habits teenagers tend to pick up at school. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. It’s called…debate. But seriously, has there ever been a more appropriate school supported event for adolescent women to participate in than DEBATE? I mean maybe it’s just me, but don’t all teenage girls know how to argue?

The funny thing about it is Casey has been grooming herself as a great debater since she learned to speak with perfect “Grammar Blue Book” skills at the age of twelve months. I kid you not, people would stop me in the grocery store to comment on my child’s advanced use of the English language. Oh, did I mention these people were usually pointing out the fact that she was practicing her skills on complete strangers. She probably would have been abducted years ago, but no one can take that much talking.

Having mastered verbal communication at such an early age has resulted in a teen who speaks with the rapidity of an auctioneer. Her grandfather teases her by attempting to adjust the ‘speed’ on his hearing aid in order to understand her. I wonder if Casey will use speed to her advantage against unwary debate opponents.

Anyway, back to the topic. Casey is already showing great promise in her first two competitive debates. Unfortunately she lost all three rounds in her first attempt. But that’s understandable since she had only a week and a half to prepare having joined late. And I don’t know who picks the topics for debates, but personally, I would never pick something like ‘the pros and cons of government bailouts.’ Casey could have won hands down if the topic were something to the effect of…who’s Twilight Team is hotter, Team Edward Cullen or Team Jacob Black?

In her second competition, Casey managed to win one, tie one and lose one! Now that’s progress…you go girl! I knew all that talking was eventually going to turn out to be good for something. Who knows, she may be the next Sandra Day O’Connor. Casey A. O’Hare, hmmm that does have a nice ring to it.

Another Stab At Life

2009-01-26T23:29:00.005-06:00

My very first sampling of gothic romance came in the form of “Another Stab at Life” by Houston’s own, Anita Higman. Anita visited The Woodlands Chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers last month to speak on writing gothic Christian romance. I never really thought about what gothic romance was all about until this meeting. Apparently the gothic romance genre is one which combines elements of both romance and horror. Gothic Christian romance combines these two elements, but the story is of course told from a Christian worldview.

“Another Stab at Life” is the first book in the Volstead Manor Series from Heartsong Presents Mysteries. Here’s the back cover copy:

Bailey Walker has just lost everything—her family, her job, and her home. She has nowhere to go except the dilapidated mansion she’s just inherited from her granny Minna. Unfortunately, Bailey discovers that the house has a history as shadowy as its hidden passages and finds the neighborhood overflowing with some rather quirky folks—as well as one particularly appealing bachelor. Bailey feels like she’s trapped inside the pages of a gothic novel but with a comedic twist. In order to honor her grandmother’s wishes and stay at Volstead Manor, Bailey must unravel a string of mysteries and secrets, which all seem determined to stay happily ever buried!

Ohh how titillating! The book is a real page turner and really keeps you guessing who or what is behind the treachery going on inside Volstead Manor. On the other hand, I still had some questions after the book ended. Perhaps those questions will be answered in book two, “Another Hour To Kill.”

The book was very interesting to me since it took place in Houston, Texas where I grew up. It also intrigued me that the book is loosely based on the Volstead Act of 1920. The Act, also known as “National Prohibition Act,” prohibited the sale or manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

I would highly recommend that you run out and pick up a copy of “Another Stab at Life.” I guarantee you will fall in love with the main character, Bailey Walker. By the way, that Anita Higman really has a talent for describing a woman’s inner…innermost…desires? There’s a steamy kissing scene in the chapter titled ‘Ten Cats Thrown into a Doghouse” that caused me to take a really deep breath after I read it!

If you would like to learn more about Anita Higman you can check out her website http://www.anitahigman.com/. I'm sure she would love for you to stop by.

A Farewell To Christmas

2009-01-01T16:07:00.002-06:00

Christmas is over; the tinsel’s all down,
Melancholy letdown creeps all around.

The walls stark and bare; no more pine in the room,
My house is as dreary as my sprit of gloom.

I proclaimed “I hate Christmas,” the shopping, the expense,
Now I miss the festive hubbub, the joyous nonsense.

My jeans no longer button; a tire sits round my waist,
Oh the glorious food I couldn’t resist but to taste.

Some presents brought pleasure, disappointment, a tear,
Sure to be forgotten by this time next year.

The Christ child is swaddled in peanuts of white,
Somber I ponder Him this silent night.

Thankful for perfect gifts from His Father of love,
My talents, my happiness all come from above.

Yes, Christmas is over, but Christ is still king,
And throughout the New Year His praises I’ll sing.

Linda Kozar Interview

2008-12-13T17:37:00.006-06:00

The book is titled “Misfortune Cookies” released November 2008, by award winning author, ACFW 2007 Mentor of The Year and all around good friend, Linda Kozar. The back cover copy reads as follows: Best friends Sue Jan and Lovita run a beauty shop/boutique in the little West Texas town of Wachita. They share a passion for food and fun. But one day, over lunch in a Chinese restaurant, Lovita opens a fortune cookie with a sinister message: “Your father was murdered…” a clue that leads them to God, and international spy ring, and several devastatingly handsome strangers. A most unlikely pair of detectives, these girlfriends “comb” the countryside with style, sarcasm, and lots of Szechwan. This tale is like good take-out food—definitely worth bringing home.

Linda, your main characters, Sue Jan and Lovita live in tiny Wachita, Texas. Thanks to your vivid descriptions, the town came alive for me. My keen deduction skills and a Google search revealed that there is in fact, no town in Texas by the name of Wachita. What, if any town, did you base your descriptions of Wachita on?

It’s all in my head! I can tell you this—it’s the kind of town I sometimes wish I lived in. Life would sure be simpler. Plus I’d know everybody. But I guess it’s sort of like attending a small church—you wind up knowing a little TOO much about everyone.

Main character, Lovita Horton, is a born again believer. Her best friend, Sue Jan, on the other hand, cares nothing for the things of God. Without giving too much away, towards the end of the book Sue Jan makes some life changing decisions. In your own personal experience, how do you feel about having a non-believer as a best friend? Do you think these situations often have the happy outcome as in the book?

Yes indeed. I have non-believer friends and have the opportunity to share the truth with them. I live out my life before these friends without compromising—take me or leave me and show them the love of Christ. It is through discipleship that Christians grow in their faith and through relationship with believers that many unbelievers come to know Him.

At times it can be difficult. There is a wall your reach in relationship with an unbeliever—a wall that you cannot get past until there’s a breakthrough. And that can be bittersweet when you’re waiting and praying and hoping they will see the truth.

Lovita deals a lot with her unwillingness to let go of the past. One instance is shown in her reluctance to enter a partnership with Sue Jan in her salon and boutique. What prompted you to write about this particular issue?

I added this because sometimes we are unwilling to let go of things. Lovita is kind of stuck in the past after the trauma of losing her father so suddenly and then later, her mother. She’s going through the motions of living her life, but she’s kind of depressed. Been hurt and rejected by guys because of her weight too.

Lovita and Sue Jan are described as bodaciously big beautiful women. As a plus sized beauty myself, I have to ask; are these characters based on real people in your life, or are you a closet “chubby-chaser”?

Hehehe—actually the character of Sue Jan is an amalgam of three women I love--Sally Nimitz Mann, Dannelle Woody and my Aunt Solie. But they’re all losing or have lost weight! What attracted me to them was the quirkiness. All three women are hilariously funny—they live large, enjoy life with gusto and joke around; they make people laugh whereever they go. What a gift!

The book is near and dear to my heart because it addresses some very real issues in women’s lives. The first is body issues. The majority of women, even stick thin types, think they’re fat. And we’re unhappy with ourselves for the most part. Lovita and Sue Jan wish they were thin too, and they have trouble in the romance department because of their size, but they are more comfortable with themselves than most. They love to eat and aren’t ashamed to admit it. I’ve had lunch with friends who feel guilty for every bite. But I refuse to live that way. Let’s face it—food is good! Another issue is finding husbands. Women know how hard it is to find a husband. And why? Because men all seem to be looking for 22-year old size zero women. Which brings me to the third issue. Age. The older women get, the harder it is to find a husband. My characters are in their late 30s; one has given up hope and the other is desperate. In a comic way, of course!

Lawyer, Monroe Madsen is madly in love with Sue Jan. She doesn’t see anything in him because he doesn’t measure up to her “hottness” standards. Have you known a man or even a woman in this situation before where the perfect person is right in front of them and they don’t even notice?

Lots of people—including me when I was single. I wrote out this list of all the qualities and characteristics inside and out that I wanted in a prospective husband. And then I held it up to God and prayed. I’m thankful though that I ended that prayer with “not my will, but Thine, Lord. . .” Why? Because His list was FAR better than mine! He gave me the perfect husband FOR ME and hopefully vice versaJ

Lovita mourns the loss of her precious father throughout the book. I know personally that you still mourn the death of your own dear father. Is Lovita’s father a sort of tribute to your own dad?

Wow, you really have your saint antenna up! Yes, it is a tribute to my father and reflected from the sudden loss of someone you love dearly. A piece of your own heart should be on every page. That’s what makes a story believable and real. The reader can stand where you’re character stands and try their shoes on for size.

I learned from your author bio that you also work at a local Houston college. How does a wife and mother of two busy teenagers manage to work outside the home, mentor two groups of Christian authors, and write and sell novels?

And teach a women’s Bible study every Tuesday! I really don’t know how I do it, but I am sort of glad to be stepping down from Words For The Journey. Hopefully that will free up a little of my time. Life can sure be crazy.

So tell us what you’re working on now. Will you be taking us somewhere other than Wachita, Texas?

Well, after the two sequels: A Tisket, A Casket and Dead As A Doornail anyway. . .
But I also co-authored a book of womens devotions called Babes With A Beatitiude published by Howard/Simon & Schuster that will release in 2009.

Other than that, I am working on four or five other projects. I’m sort of ADD. It helps to write a bit on a variety of projects—like cleansing my palate! I take my time—don’t believe in rushing. I need to be happy with what I’m doing and make sure it’s done right—or at least to my satisfaction.

Linda, thank you so much for sharing your heart. Please tell us how your readers can contact you and keep up on your latest releases?

Besides these sites, readers are welcome to look me up on Facebook or Twitter. I look forward to hearing from you!

Linda P. Kozar
http://www.coffeeteaandthee.org
http://www.babeswithabeatitude.com
http://babeswithabeatitude.blogspot.com/
http://wwwinternalmonoblogcom.blogspot.com/
http://acfwwritersonthestorm.blogspot.com/
http://theglobalpennews.blogspot.com/

Patience My Dear

2008-11-17T12:26:00.004-06:00

I consider myself a relatively patient person. Waiting really doesn’t bother me. That’s probably one of the reason’s my favorite sport is…surf fishing. It’s not really a sport after all; it’s a study in patience. You bait your hook, you cast it into the surf, and—you wait.

Chapter three, verse twelve of the book of Colossians tells us, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” So as Christians, along with being generally nice guys, we must also be…patient?

Some time ago I prayerfully submitted a collection of skits to a famous Christian drama publishing company. For a month I waited for a reply. Then an envelope came in the mail with the publishing company logo in the upper left corner! I opened it and read that they had received my submission in good condition! They were forwarding it to their lead reader for consideration! The letter also stated that it would take several months for them to reply back to me. Not a problem…I'm patient.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

“I wait for you, O Lord; You will answer, O Lord my God.” Psalm 38:15

I’ve been told that God answers prayers in three ways: yes, no, and wait. Eight months later and still no word, I think I’m finding out that God is saying…wait. But I’m tired of waiting, Lord!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1

There’s an old saying that goes, “Good things come to those who wait.” Okay, Lord, I guess I can wait a little bit longer. But please hurry!

Election Day 2008

2008-11-04T14:31:00.007-06:00

I’ll never forget my first time to vote in a presidential election. November 6, 1984, the candidates were Ronald Regan and Walter Mondale. I felt with all my heart that my single vote would be the determining factor of the election. Well—my candidate did win.

It wasn’t my first time to vote. You see, I didn’t turn 18 until the year following the 1980 presidential election. So when I was eligible to vote, I made sure I was the first in line. (But I didn’t quite make it.) It was 1982, and the candidates were Jim McConn and Kathryn J. Whitmire. It was the Houston mayoral election. I remember it so well; bubbling in that scantron paper, making a difference in my world, one pencil mark at a time. My candidate didn’t win that election. Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all.

I’m not voting on this Election Day 2008. Why, because I voted two weeks ago. I don’t like standing in lines. I’m not going to endorse a candidate. But I will give a personal quote from a dear friend.

“If Obama wins, we will become an “Obama-nation” before God.”

What can I say, but VOTE EARLY AND VOTE OFTEN!

City of Ember

2008-10-21T10:55:00.002-05:00

I had never heard of the children’s novel “The City of Ember,” by author, Jeanne Duprau. But my online search for a PG movie suitable for viewing by my 7th and 8th grade Sunday school department brought the flick to the forefront.

So…Saturday morning the 18th at 10:00 am we loaded the eight kids that showed up and four adult sponsors into the church van and headed for the mall. We pretty much had our own private screening as not many are up for movie watching early Saturday morning. We chose the early time because the price is reduced to $5.00 before noon on Saturday.

The movie takes place after the world becomes uninhabitable because of…what, I don’t know? I didn’t catch that part. The “builders” have designed an underground city, powered by a giant generator and lit by floodlights. Storerooms are stocked to sustain the people for 200 years. A box containing instructions for escaping from the city is to be passed down from mayor to mayor. After one mayor dies unexpectedly, the box and plans are stored away and forgotten. Two hundred fifty years have passed and the storerooms are becoming depleted.

The residents of the city have never known sunlight or life above ground. When the generator begins failing, leaving the city in total darkness, two teens begin to worry and investigate an escape. Their adventure reveals that the current mayor is corrupt and also that an enormous frightening mole is on the loose in the city’s pipe works. (I’m told the mole didn’t exist in the novel). Nevertheless, the teens go on to save the day and the city.

The movie is called “City of Ember” because—well I don’t know that either. I’m not even sure if that was mentioned in the movie. I guess I should have read the book. Here’s a quote from one eighth grader.

“The book was boring, and the movie was even worse.” Kyle (He’s in 8th grade, what can I say?)

The movie includes high magnitude stars such as Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Mary Kay Place, and Martin Landau. The female lead is played by Saoirse Ronan who did a wonderful portrayal of Lena Mayfleet, the main character. And the little girl twins that played her baby sister, Poppy, were absolutely adorable.

I thought the movie was mildly entertaining and I must admit I jumped at least twice during the mole scenes. Would I watch it again? Probably not if I had to pay to see it, but if it came on television, sure why not. Was it family friendly? Yes, although I think little children would be frightened by the mole. My rating: Eh, it’s okay.

Autumn Is

2008-10-07T22:26:00.022-05:00

Amber, gold, orange, yellow, red and brown; leaves break free for one final flight

Uber-gigantic pumpkins plump, ripe and ready for funny fancy carved faces
Thanksgiving, turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie and parades; thankful for another good year

Unanimous agreement—summer was hot! Soon cooler weather draws near
Marching bands, football season, fall festivals, scary costumes, candy galore
National decision, casting votes, choosing sides, elephants, donkeys; Election Day is here

Reflection

2008-09-01T21:01:00.002-05:00

September 1, 2008, Labor Day, a day to reflect on the end of the short summer and the long school year that lies ahead. On August 25th Connor started his first day of second grade. Casey began her sophomore year. And Patrick became a full fledged senior.

That Monday morning Patrick and Casey left for school at 6:45; Connor doesn’t even wake up until 7:00. After dropping Connor off at 8:00 I returned home to get ready for my back to school lunch date. On the first day of school, a group of ladies go out for a nice lunch. For some it’s a celebration; for others it’s a support group. For me it was both. I celebrated Connor’s return to school. I mourned what my precious Casey will be introduced to in the year ahead. And I began to cry as I tried to tell a friend where Patrick is thinking about going to college.

Thursday night we attended our first football game. My dad and I traveled from Porter to the opposite side of Houston to see the game. If you’ve ever driven across Houston you can appreciate how far that really is. My dad was impressed by how well our team fared in its new 5A district. Personally, I barely even watch the game—I’m a band mom.

When halftime arrived, I left the safety of the visitor side and hiked over into enemy territory. It’s the only way to see the band march without having to watch their backsides. I got to see my Casey march for the first time as she had successfully earned herself a marching spot. I watched as Patrick nobly sidestepped across the field, trumpet held at attention. It was my second time to cry this school year.

The class of 2009 will always hold a special place in my heart. It marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a new and exciting life for my son. Nevertheless I look forward to what will be a painful and difficult time in my own life as I learn to let go and let God. With that said I close my laptop and grab a tissue as I begin to cry for the third time this school year.

Addendum: on a lighter note, week one of school is passed and Connor has only been reprimanded once for talking in the hall. Here’s how the conversation went…

Connor: Mom, I made a mistake at school today.
Me: Oh?
Connor: Yeah, I was accidentally talking in the hall, so I got a note.
Me: What kind of note?
Connor: I had to write what I did wrong TWO TIMES! And sign it. You have to sign it too.
Me: Well, did you learn your lesson? Do you know why you had to write the note?
Connor: Yes, I understand completely. The reason they make you write the note is so that you will be severely humiliated and you won’t do it again.
Me: (Cracking up) well, are you sufficiently humiliated?
Connor: Yeah, I guess so.
Me: Good…don’t do it again.

I Was A 44 Year Old Bridesmaid

2008-08-20T10:25:00.006-05:00

It sounds like the title of a horror movie. And (gasp), I’m playing the leading role! Being married, I suppose my official title is Matron of Honor. Sounds important right? In reality, all it means is I’m old enough to have a 46 year old husband, two teenagers and a seven year old to make fun of me in the little strappy number I’ll be wearing. Even if I will be the fattest of the four, at least I have the satisfaction of knowing I’m not the oldest maid in the bunch—yeah, you know who you are.

Okay, picture this; I walk into the bridal store with my girlfriend and one of the other bridesmaids. We’re greeted by someone we’ll call Lola, a wedding coordinator. Queue the flashback scene music. Doo doo doo; doo doo doo…

Amy (The bride): we’re here to pick out bridesmaids dresses.
Me: Don’t forget to tell her we’re old and fat.
Lola: (Laughs) All right Amy, what color is your dress, white, ivory, cream, or something else?
Amy: Well, I haven’t picked out my dress yet.
Lola: And…when did you say you were getting married?
Amy: October.
Lola: (Wildly fanning herself) Oh Lawd! (Picks up telephone and presses speaker button) Paging Miss Shania, please come to the front of the store. We have a code red at the welcome desk.
Enter Miss Shania…a short stocky middle aged wedding coordinator.
Lola: Miss Shania, I need you to help these ladies out while I take Miss Amy to pick out a wedding dress.
Miss Shania: Well, certainly ladies, step right this way.
AND THEN IT HAPPENED! MISS SHANIA LOOKS STRAIGHT AT ME AND SAYS.
And you’re the mother of the bride?

In the past, people have always said I look much younger than I really am. But apparently to Miss Shania, I look like I could mother a 34 year old woman. I don’t know what came over me. I couldn’t make my finger stop wagging in her face. I looked over at my “older” friend who was snickering uncontrollably. Well, for the rest of the day I was Miss Shania’s “best friend”. And for some reason, in Miss Shania’s opinion, every dress I tried on from that point on was absolutely gorgeous on me.

Just when I thought things couldn’t possibly get any worse, my body decided to betray me and go into personal summer mode—I’m talking Sahara Desert caliber hot flash. The sweat fountain opened up and my face was brighter than the “red apple” color dress I was trying on.

You know, when God created the institution of marriage He never intended for us to be consumed with bridesmaids dresses, controlling mother’s (not me), or what flavor the groom’s cake should be. Sure God wants us to celebrate the union of two people, but it’s never been God’s plan that we worry about these things. After all, it was at a wedding that Christ performed His first miracle. And thank goodness, He’s still in the miracle business, because it’s definitely going to take one to get me through this wedding. Do you think I’m being repaid for the mauve dresses I made the girls wear in my wedding?

Question: How can you tell whether it’s a first time marriage or not?
Answer: The combined total of children belonging to the wedding party alone is more than sixteen!

Conflict Will Come—And When It Does…

2008-08-03T21:51:00.001-05:00

When our church revealed its plan to institute a building campaign I was overjoyed. The thought of worshiping in a real sanctuary with pews and carpet instead of a straight chair on a hardwood gym floor stirred images of pious splendor. Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that some in our congregation would oppose building a new sanctuary. But conflict, I would soon find out, is a fact of life.

In the article, “The Hurting Church: Why we get hurt and hurt others in church,” Gail Rodgers states, “More and more often we find people and leaders in conflict within the body of believers, robbed of the joy Jesus promised in Him. When we find this hurt hanging on to our own bruised soul, it can make us want to leave the church and sometimes even want to “back burner” our God who seems to have allowed it all.” According to Rodgers, there are five steps to conflict resolution, all of which are based on a framework of God’s love.
Step 1: Know your enemy – When in conflict with another believer, we need to ask ourselves the question, “Am I wrestling against flesh and blood?” The answer in these situations is usually yes, but we must never forget, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers…” (Ephesians 6:12). Scripture tells us to “be alert”, “resist the enemy” (1Peter 5:8-9) be on your guard and “stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). So when irritation strikes…know immediately who your opponent is…know immediately he has schemes and plans in place that will at best steal from you and at worst destroy God’s people and their effectiveness. In addition to being alert we must keep praying, (Ephesians 6:18). When prayer is no longer the oxygen of our spiritual soul or the heartbeat of our church, our defense is down.
Step 2: Keep short accounts – The simple truth of the Word of God in the instruction from Paul to “not let the sun go down on your anger” is so profoundly elementary that we miss it. Scripture tells us “a root of bitterness springs up and defiles many” (Hebrews 12:15). When it finally spills out, or spits up, it defiles us and those around, and hurt is the result. That is why Proverbs 4:23 tells us “above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.” It is the very source of all we are. The trademark that identifies us as His disciples vanishes and the world looking on can see no difference in us. Be alert of the seed you allow in your heart. They all produce fruit of one kind or another. List the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, (Galatians 5:22). Ask yourself, “What fruit of the Spirit is in short supply in my life right now?”
Step 3: Don’t be afraid of accountability – In any given troubling situation we need to honestly ask ourselves, “Am I making choices that allow God to be in control here or am I taking control?” Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “trust in the Lord with your whole heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.” If your own understanding is resulting in opinions and actions that bring division, be accountable for what is going on in your own heart. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked (selfish) ways, then I will heal their land” (their church, their heart). It’s a sure promise!
Step 4: Acknowledge pride – Scripture says, “God resists, or opposes, the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Pride is a killer. It is one of the subtlest tools of the enemy. God actually resists the proud. The simple question to ask before opening your mouth is: “Will this lift Jesus higher or will this lift me higher?”
Step 5: Be willing to plant stakes in the ground – You must ask yourself: “Am I willing to acknowledge my part and take steps to prevent a repeat?” James 3:13-17 talks about two kinds of wisdom, one, which does not come from heaven, and one that does. The one not based on heavenly values is centered on earthly, unspiritual values with envy and selfish ambition at the core. Not hard to spot…the trademark of love will be missing as well. The wisdom based on heavenly values will be pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
We have all heard stories of church congregations splitting over something as trivial as the color of the carpeting or the old hymns versus praise chorus issue. I consider our own fellowship exceedingly blessed, having completed a major building campaign with only the most minor amount of opposition. Taking godly steps for conflict resolution, faithfully bathing every situation in prayer and coating it with God’s love is ultimately the answer for most every church conflict.
Source: http://christianwomentoday.com/training/hurtingchurch.html

Book Review-Night Light, by: Guest Blogger Casey O'Hare

2008-07-22T11:40:00.004-05:00

This week on Annette’s blog: Guest blogger steals the show! No I’m just kidding. Mom asked me to write a guest book review for the sequel to Last Light by Terri Blackstock. I’ve only had to write a review once before, and that was for Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. I wouldn’t recommend that book. But let’s see how I fare in this one… I give you: Night Light
May 24, a day that will live in infamy (couldn’t resist). Cars stopped working, cell phones died, and planes fell out of the sky. But these seemed the least of problems for the Brannings as they cope with the loss of their most prized possession: electricity.
Several weeks into the outage, the murderer has been caught, preparations for a well are underway, and the mayor of Crockett, Alabama has shown up at the gates of the Oak Hollow subdivision with some very good, and some very bad news. The source of the outage has been discovered. In 1999 a star supernova occurred and the radiation caused by the event is just now reaching Earth. The rays shouldn’t be harmful to humans, but the government just isn’t sure. Mail is being delivered, FEMA is handing out disbursements of $25 to every citizen in America, and we all know what happened when they gave the Katrina survivors the $2000 cards. Oh yeah, and the draft is being reconstituted, only they aren’t looking for soldiers, but for mechanics.
While the meeting is going on, a small band of thieves, that would make the cast of "Oliver" jealous, try to break into the Brannings’ home. They make off with a few items, but not before son, Jeff can chase them to the Sandwood Place Apartments. The thieves are four small children living alone since their mother, Jessie Gatlin, disappeared. Finding the compassion in their hearts, Kay and Doug decide to take Aaron, Joey, Luke and Sarah back home till they can either find their mother, or a more suitable relative.
Things go downhill when they find yet another body, Jessie Gatlin’s, and the search for a different killer comes about. Eyes turn to Aaron when he keeps pulling guns out of nowhere. The thrill never ends in the exciting sequel: Night Light.

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