Rooms by James L. Rubart

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

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

 

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

 

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?

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

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

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