Crusaders for Christ -- First in a Series of Interviews of Christians with the Heart of a Servant

MEET SERVANT - GINA HOLMES OF NOVEL JOURNEY

As best I recall, I was sitting on a cushy chair at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC -- It was my first writer's conference, I knew NO ONE, and I was nursing a severe case of poision ivy. In all honesty, I'd really hoped no one would notice me, however to my surprise this beautful young woman sat down next to me.
She leaned back in her chair and clasped her hands around her knees. Eyeing the obivious discomfort I felt with the poision ivy, she smiled a very coy smile and remarked, "I can see you were itching to get to this conference."
It took a minute for me to absorb her warped sense of humor, but when I dug through the serious look she offered me, I saw a sneaky little grin cross her lips. That was all it took. Within moments we'd become wonderful friends.
I was impressed with her intelligence and poise. She was confident, yet not the least bit cocky. Though she was fifteen years my youth, we began a friendship which stands tight despite the miles which divide us. She has served as my mentor in writing, a teacher, a critique partner and a guiding light.
GINA HOLMES is the creator of Novel Journey, a blog site set aside for the promotion of Christian Fiction authors. Gina runs the site, along with Ane Mulligan and Jessica Dotta. An aspiring writer herself, Gina pens some pretty awesome (and eerie) Christian suspense. Novel Journey is entering its third year of internet publication and it has raised the brows of top selling authors such as Frank Peretti and renowned agent/writer, Chip MacGregor. In its short lifetime, Novel Journey has hosted hundreds of well know authors and has more on the waiting list. If you're interested in knowing what's going on in Christian writing or what authors are hot, or if you're looking for guidance as a new or advanced writer, Gina is the gal to seek out.

Gina, we've been friends for three years. I've admired you from othe very beginning with your unique style and quality of writing. You've served as a wonderful mentor for me and you've been equally the same as a friend. Tell me how long you've been writing?
I realized in high school I had a talent for making up stories (just ask my parents!). I started getting serious about reaching publication in 2001. I started writing greeting cards, magazine articles and that sort of thing. I realized my real passion was in novel writing, I guess about 2003.

Where did you get your beginnings in Christian writing?
I didn't even know there was such a thing as "Christian" books or the CBA (Christian Bookseller's Association) until I was telling some friends at church I was writing a novel. I explained the premise of my story and several people compared what I wrote to Frank Peretti, who I'd never heard of. I went to the church library and realized there was a whole slew of Christian fiction. I wasn't sure where I'd fit into what seemed to me to be a lot of sweet romances...until I read Francine Rivers' Reedeeming Love. I finished that book, hugged it and said: I want to write like this. And I realized I could write -- not only write to entertain, but also to point to God.

I know Novel Journey began as a personal blog for readers to walk in the shoes of an aspiring writer, learn the in's and outs of the journey of publication from YOUR own bloody knees of experience. When did you decide to make Novel Journey a support system for the promotion of Christian authors?
In the early days, I had three readers and one of 'em was me. Ha! People weren't all that interested in one writer's journey to publication. Which usually is a very, long and tedious one. I'm all for hitting two birds with one stone, so I thought, why not promote other authors while I'm not really accomplishing anything else productive with this blog? I spent a lot of time on the internet googling for author interviews. I wanted to know how others before me accomplished the goal of publication and great writing. I figured if it interested me, it would interest others. I was right I guess, because we've grown bigger than I could have dreamed.

What prompted you to make Novel Journey a personal ministry?
I realized very quickly that God has His hand on Novel Journey. I mean, it just took off like wild fire when I took the focus off myself. It dawned on me that I had a unique opportunity to have influence over some things I feel strongly about: moral fiction, great writing and God. I guessed I wasn't the only one who didn't realize that there was a place to go to get great books that wouldn't try to pull me from my faith or make me slog through a stream of gratuitious sex and profanity.
It is amazing how God will use us once we hand ourselves over fully to Him. It's hard for us to do that. I think because so many of us don't see our personal examples or our interests as a "ministry." But once we truly hand it over, all the stops are pulled out and great things happen. You're obivously a prime example of just that.

Tell me how God uses you and Novel Journey to minister to others?
Novel Journey minsters to me in a huge way. The authors we interview have shared so much of themselves, so much of their hard earned knowledge. The open-hand model most of these authors live their lives by has shown me how generosity an investment that has a wonderful return. I've made so many good friends and have learned nothing is impossible. I never would have dreamed a couple of years ago, I'd be chatting with Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Noah Lukeman and all the other amazing writers I've gotten a chance to interview.
I'm not sure all the ways that Novel Journey ministers to others, but I hope that it does. I hope that writers are inspired to do better, to aim higher, to step outside their comfort zones and consider other's perspectives. There seems to be this tug of war within the CBA of those wanting to push the envelope and those who don't. I love stirring the pot a bit between these groups, not to cause division but to allow others to see another's perspective and to consider it. Neither point of view is completely wrong, or completely right. Keeping the dialogue wide open, in my opinion, is healthy if we want to grow, but keeping one another accountable as well.
I've followed Novel Journey from the beginning, (maybe I was one of the original three - smile) and I can honestly say the standard of forthrightness, generosityto share good reading, good information and promote others places you and Novel Journey at the top of the personal ministry list. You have the heart of a servant by giving so freely and expecting nothing in return.

What's the level of commitment to this blog site now?
Its gotten pretty huge. After a year or so on my own, it was too much and Jessica Dotta came aboard with her publicity expertise and Ane Mulligan with her scriptwriting and book reviewing expertise. We each put a lot into Novel Journey. Some days it can eat up all of daylight. Other days, just the time it takes to post and edit. There's a lot that goes on behind the scens that readers won't see.
I think it's important to let readers know there is no charge for what comes from Novel Journey. Any costs that may be incurred in the operation of the blogsite are taken on by you. It's a full time job with no salary other than the rewards of doing good.

Tell me how God has blessed you through this journey?
God has really worked on my sense of black and white. I was on fire for God and Istill am, but my faith has settled into a more accepting, more surefooted area that doesn't think everyone has to agree with me to be loved. They don't have to think the way I do to be right. And because they're right, doesn't necessarily make me wrong. God has really been working on my judgementalism and seeing His children the way He does a little more. He's been doing that through my writing, through my family, through every aspect of my life. It's been a painful refinement but thank God he loves me enough to turn up the heat.

What was your goal when you decided to make Novel Journey a ministry?
Our goal was and is to promote really great CBA fiction. That goal has changed a bit. After I read Leif Enger's Peace Like a River, which is NOT a CBA book, I decided that great fiction that points to bibical truths, whether CBA or ABA, was worthy to promote. We've recently started interviewing a lot of ABA (secular) novelists. The reason behind this is to draw the ABA readers who will hopefully then discover CBA authors. The crossover, of course, will work both ways and that's okay. There are a lot of great ABA authors out there who love the Lord as much as any CBA reader/author.
I agree completely with you. A meshing would be beneficial to everyone. Win -- Win.

Can you tell me some of the results professionally and personally you've seen through the blog?
Professionally, I was contacted through my blog to write for a premier issue of a woman's magazine. That was cool. Having a platform of thousands of readers a month doesn't look bad on a marketing plan. I've made so many more friends in the industry and we all know networking is important. All this however, is the icing on the cake. It's not my main motivation for the site.
Personally, I think I've touched on a lot of this earlier, but in addition to all that, the friends I've made in cyberspace have become some of my best. There is a community, a tight one, among CBA novelists and aspiring novelists. I love being part of that very cool, very edifying, gang.

Tell me about your daily response from the postings on the blog?
It's funny. We have between two and three hundred readers a day on average and get only a few comments. I wish folks would take the time to comment more often. It really does make the author's day (and mine). But the responses are generally positive, unless we run something controversial, like a certain publisher's interview or Mike Duran's thought provoking pieces which are meant to get people talking. We're very deliberate in the pieces that will get lots of comments. We know that ahead of time.
Those who comment are always encouraging. Robert Liparulo (Comes A Horseman) recently said that we at Novel Journey draw a kind hearted group and he's right. We do.
Now that's a nice compliment. You're a fruit of the spirit -- Kindness.

I know you're always on the cutting edge of internet technology and you've worked some with Pod Casts already. Can you tell us what lies ahead for Novel Journey?
We've messed around with podcasting, though after trying that out, I'm not sure we'll do too much of it. It's all about the reader. What do they want to see/hear? Podcats haven't gotten the most enthusiastic response.
We'd like to get into broadcasting, though we're considering our options there and laying down the groundwork. We'd like to, of course, continue to grow. Last year we almost trippled our readership. I'd like to continue along those lines. We're getting into some on-line critiquing of work and doing more commentary, which I really enjoy. Other than that, we're constantly considering our options, looking for ways to accomplish our purpose in a better way. Tomorrow, some great idea may strike Jess or Ane or I and we'll flesh it out and see if it works. If it does, great, if it doesn't, we're not afraid to toss it out and keep looking.
The sign of a great team is the strength to work together. Sounds like the three of you are insync. It takes a good friend to tell you if your endeavor is stinky and a bigger friend to smile and agree. (laughing) Novel Journey is the result of three women who know how to work as a team. The proof is in the pudding.

Finally Gina, many people never take time to look seriously at how and what God can do to direct their careers and their lives. What do you have in your prayers for the future with Novel Journey and as a writer, and tell us how you feel God is leading you?
Great questions, Cindy. God is always there, the pillar of fire, leading the way. I don't always follow. When I find myself off the path, I get back on. Usually on my own, sometimes because the pain is too great to stay off for long. The consequences for living outside God's will and all that. Interesting timing with this question. We're just now coming up with our mission statement for the site. We want to remain focused on the bigger picture and having a mission statement is a great way to do that. So, I've been thinking a lot about this question.
My prayer is that God will use it and show the three of us how He wants to use it, and when it's purpose is complete, that we won't hang on to it a second too long. So, I'm not real sure the future of Novel Journey. This has been a God thing all the way and so I'll let Him nudge me in the direction He wants. For now, our goal is to continue to bring the Christian and secular writing community together if we can, to promote great fiction that holds bibical truths and to encourage and help writers to do their best work.
Personally, with my writing, I'm in a comfortable spot writing my fourth novel, realizing that when God's ready for me, He'll open the door and until then, I'm to be faithful honing my craft, and seeking to bring Him glory with my words.

A special thank you to Gina Holmes for sharing her personal ministry with us at Mountain Breeze. I am a firm believer that God places us in the pathways of those who can minister appropriately to our needs. Gina has been the light in the darkness for me, guiding me to being a better writer, and encouraging my work with the Father on the daily devotions.

Our ministries are unique and personal to us each one. I encourage you to do some soul seaching and find your passion...then fall to your knees and say, "God, here I am, use me." You will be amazed at the growth and the rewards that are gained from sharing this personal one-on-one ministry. We don't have to be Bible College grads or stand from a pulpit to share a ministry.

Thanks to Gina Holmes for opening up her heart of a servant to us. Check out her blogsite, www.noveljourney.blogspot.com and see what is offered in the world of Christian fiction. And when you visit....leave a comment. Let her know what you think. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.

"To Infinity and Beyond...."

Some of us never grow up. Unfortunately, I believe I'm one of those who remains a child at heart. Our family made a trip to Disney World, Orlando last fall and we had a blast. It was great because the kids are adults now and there were no restrictions as to where and when we went. The frightening thing was, we found ourselves numerous times riding the Buzz Lightyear ride. Don't ask me the offical name because I don't know. I can only tell you when all four of us saw the flashing lights and space ships with laser guns we were suckered through the door more than once. We even purchased the pictures that Disney takes as you pass through the most intense part of the ride. Yes, we actually bought the pictures because we wanted people to see how intent we were on lasering those little green creatures.

My favorite saying from Buzz Lightyear is "From infinity and beyond..." It says so much about how we move forward -- grow in new and different directions. With each passing year I'm finding that my awareness of Christ in my life is becoming more and more evident. I seem to wear my "God ears" with a hearing aid, listening intently to see what the Father might whisper to me.

Having said that, I feel God is leading Mountain Breeze Ministries into new and uncharted waters. The devotional ministry is a personal ministry for me. Born from the desire to know the Father on a deeper level, I began to share them with the members of the my home church. From there, God launched the devotionals into a daily email ministry so that others could study along side me. This past May, God truly shook the rafters when He touched the heart of a community newspaper to print the devotions on a weekly basis, sending their distribution from a couple of hundred into the thousands. Now, as the year nears an end and I strengthen my prayers in asking God what is next for Mountain Breeze, I am finding He's leading me to seek out the hearts of His servants.

Exactly what does that mean for this blog? Well, that's still up in the air but I can say this, Mountain Breeze Writer will become the home for regular people who have the heart of a servant. I will begin to regularly post interviews with average people -- some professional and others not -- who find great joy in their personal and private ministries. They find peace in opening their hearts to do for others before they do for themselves.

There are so many who shine with the love of Christ, who find peace and rest within the moments they share His love. Those are the people from whom we can learn. They incorporate their Christ-like lives into everything they do and raise the bar for us who falter.

We'll see where God takes us. Every post will not be an interview but they'll be sprinkled along the way. I hope you'll check into the blog from time to to time and read through the "Crusaders for Christ" series. Perhaps you know someone who shares the love of Christ in a unique way or business. Let me know by responding to the posts.

So.......here we go. Stepping into yet another page of the book that God is writing through Mountain Breeze. Won't you step into our world and feel the mountain breeze?

Coming soon: Crusader for Christ - Gina Holmes and her blog Novel Journey. Are you ready? FROM INFINITY AND BEYOND!!!!

The Spirit of God

The Spirit of God

Heaven parted the clouds one day, and an ever so tiny separation appeared. Yet through that small opening God sat on His throne and peered down. His eyes scanned the vastness of the universe taking in every star. His thoughts rearranged the heavens from night into day and the vision of His world came into view.

The Father gently sighed and His breath moved the leaves on the trees. A smile crossed His face as He glanced over the vast mountain ranges He'd created. Some filled and formed of rocks, while others were covered with the lush green from grass and trees. it was good.

As He moved across the earth, He spied a doe that had just given birth to a fawn. From His heavenly seat He extended His hand and with one finger gently lifted the fawn to its feet, supporting it momentarily until its balance was established. Again He smiled as the mother began to tenderly nuzzle her young.

His eyes soared across the oceans occasionally blinking to make the waves dance over the surface. The Father continued to expand His vision until the snow of the north fell into sight. He brushed across the white powder stirring up a gentle snow fall.

As the world he'd created spun softly in the universe, the Father checked every detail of His creation, when suddenly His attention was drawn to a small voice. Turning His view toward the voice, God focused on a child who was knelt by her bed.

"...and God bless mommy, and daddy, grandma and grandpa. And Spike, too. Even when he chews up my dolls, I can forgive him. God, please bless the world." she said as she climbed into bed.

The Father was touched by the child and His heart opened sending blessing after blessing across the earth in compliance with her request. As the girl closed her eyes to sleep, God leaned down from that tiny opening in the heavens and gingerly kissed her fofrehead. He watched as she snuggled beneath the covers, then He turned to the Son and said.
"She can forgive."

The Son returned His Father's smile and replied, "But with You there is forgiveness." (Psalm 130:4).

God stretched his arms toward the heavens as His angels sang praises. "All this I have given freely. By My hand the universe was created and by My love it was saved."

It only took the innocence of one child -- Christ, to form that tiny opening into heaven that allowed an abundance of fforgiveness to sprinkle upon us. And with the hand of God, it was distributed to all those who fall before the foot of the cross. To take on the innocence of a child and make the effort to forgive when we've been wronged demonstrates His ultimate love.

Zechariah 4:6 tells us, "...Not by might nor power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." it is with His Spirit that forgiveness began, and it is with His Spirit it will conquer all.

The Homecoming

The old man slipped his trousers on and pulled the suspenders over his shoulders. His fingers hardly bent as he struggled to dress. Fumbling with the shoe strings for several minutes prompted him to simply tuck them neatly into the sides of his shoes.
Snatching his cane from the closet the man walked down the hospital hallway and out the front door. Not one person paid him any mind. He flagged a cab and handing the driver a crumpled piece of paper with the address, he slid into the seat and closed the door.
"This old place?" questioned the driver. "t's been closed for years."
"That's the place. First Christian Church of Mabrey Street," replied the old man with a smile. "That's the one."
"Whatever you say, old man." With that the driver twisted around in his seat and shifted the car into gear.
Once they arrived at the church the driver asked if he should wait.
"No need. Here's your money. I'll be fine. I've got someone coming to pick me up." The man ached as he climbed from the car and ambled up the walkway. It took him several minutes to climb the five steps to the front porch, but he made it. Short on breath, his head began to spin.
"Just a little further," he said as he shoved the door open with his cane.
As soon as the man could see inside the church, his senses went wild. He poked through the cobwebs and before his eyes the sanctuary began to transform. The dusty planked floor regained its brilliant luster, and the pews glowed with the look of fresh white paint. The windows sparkled as the sun shone through the yellow panes giving the room a soft warm color.
He walked to the front and stepped up to the pulpit, then rubbing his hands across the marble top, a tear dripped from his cheek. Glancing toward the piano he could hear old Mrs. Hutson banging away at When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, and suddenly his ears tuned into the choir singing to the out-of-tune melody.
On the front row materialized Josh Henderson and his son Adam. Two rows back on the left, the Anderson sisters, and one row over, Mabel and Harry Martin. The pews overflowed with people as the man reminisced of a time when the church was filled to capacity.
He seated himself in the tall-backed chair behind the pulpit and pulled a pocket-sized New Testament from his coat. Flipping through the pages he found the scripture he'd longed to read aloud. The man tilted his head toward the ceiling and spied the cross which hung on the wall over the baptistery. A smilled parted his lips as he closed his eyes and lifted his arms.
"I've come home Lord. Your faithful servant has come home. I preached from this pulpit for forty-eight years. Now my body is old and fading. I'm home."
A breeze blew open the front door, rushing around him and caressing him as if the arms of Jesus had pulled him close. The preacher dropped his arms to his side and blew out his last breath.
"Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome home."
Will you hear the words of Matthew 25:21? "The Master replied,'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

Time is Ticking Away

Alas, I've experienced YET another birthday. Not that I want the birthday accolades - heavens-to-betsy...no! But, it's that I've woken up and realized I'm only a few short years away from a senior citizen discount at McDonalds.
My life has ultimately been blessed and overall, I truly can't complain. God is good even in the tough times. You know we all hate to be pruned, however occassionally God has seen fit to cut my limbs back a smidgen. Did it hurt? Ooohhhwweee, you bet ya. Still for the sudden and instant ouchie that occurred. I've been made better as a result.
Time does tick by unmercifully and unfortunately, it harbors no regrets...it simply remains focused and in a dead heat for who knows where. Which by the way, happens to be an excellent and thought provoking question. Where exactly DOES time go when it passes? And why it is in such a hurry? Ponder those issues -- would you?
All in all, through thick and thin, things have been wonderful. I pray daily that God will continue to see me through another day. I'm not so sure a perfect life would be all that great. I suppose it might appear somewhat boring at times. There's never a dull moment in my life. Sometimes I WISH THERE WERE, but no such luck. It all winds back up at the "time" issue. When there is quiet time, I feel like I ought to be doing something. HENCE, I'm taking TIME to learn to better use the TIME which flashes past.
You know...walk a little slower (intentionally - not because I'm getting older - don't assume anything!), breath a little deeper, exhale a tad slower, enjoy a bit more. These things are important. I think there's one other thing.
Rather than staring at the clock and watching time zip past, I think I'll wait awhile -- only check the clock when I think it's time to snack. (grin)
In all seriousness. It's amazing how we fill our days with STUFF. Overall unimportant stuff seems to overtake us in a rush. God has given us such a wonderful world to live in and enjoy. It's really a shame we let it pass us by without a second glance. When was the last time you sat down and really watched the sun set and then wait long enough to see the first stars peek out from behind their curtains of darkness? When, pray tell, was the last time you walked through a tree covered path and enjoyed the sun streaking through the branches just enough to cause you to raise your hand over your brow? Or when have you sat by the water and stretched out your legs, leaned your face toward the sun and took in its warmth? YOU SEE!
You're missing what time drags past as well.
Let's make a deal...Let's agree to stop at least once a day and enjoy something unique God has given us. It was a gift and it was meant to be used. Rest, relax -- just a teeny bit. Smile, laugh, hug someone. Just enjoy the life that God has given us.
I almost bet ya....time will slow just a bit.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

For lack of better words, I can only say I'm so FAR....very far...behind on updating my blog. I, like everyone else, get stuck in the rungs of work and daily chaos. Suddenly I look at the calendar and a month has passed.
Today, author Trisha Goyer, sent me an blog comment with BIG LETTERS that said, "YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED"
Okay, it's been quite a number of years since I played tag so my curosity rose to the surface. Tricia left instructions to go to her blogsite and read the instructions. Sooo, I did.
The instructions were to answer the following question: "If you could write a novel about subject - what would it be? Don't give away your plot idea."
Well, that certainly woke my sleeping brain up. Jolted me back into the world of writing in a REALLY BIG HURRY. I found myself a bit ashamed in the fact that I've allowed so much to draw me away from my writing this past month. They were all good reasons why I haved stretched the ole imagination -- work, illness, church...did I mention work. Oh and work. With the boss being out of town and some and one of my strongest co-workers on vacation -- the slack had to be filled. ANYWAY. It seems it took being tagged to shake me out of my work world and put me back into my fiction place.
Having said that, I can't go further without saying how easy it is for us as Christians to put our church life on the backback burner. Life just happens and when the priorities list comes up for re-evaluation, we tend to draw an arrow toward the bottom of the list for Sunday night or mid-week services. The fact is, we only give of ourselves an average of 6 hours a week for active church time. (That is if we go Sunday a.m. & p.m. and a mid-week service) Shish...God sure allots more time than that for us. Shame on us.
Though I haven't let my church attendance slip, my writing is truly one of the times I give of myself to Him. Everytime I sit down to put pen to paper (or keystrokes to screen - depending on how politically correct you insist on being), I offer myself into His guidance -- into His service -- to be used as a vessel. Therefore, when I allow my writing to slip to the side, even a tiny bit, I falter in the time I'd normally offer to God.
Hence, IT'S BACK TO THE WRITING. Okay, so I've been tagged. What would I write? Humm, two things.
(Works in progress would probably be the best thing to call them -- or for the non-writer...WIP's)
1) I'm a mountain girl. Born and raised in the Smokey Mts. I love my Appalachian heritage. So, my subject is based on mountain magic. I'm writing in true Appalachian voice about a man, who in his personal desire to provide for his family, looses sight of what's right. He sells his soul blindly to the devil and really doesn't realize what he's done. This is a battle between God and Satan over one mountain man's soul. What can a man do to make God want to reclaim his soul?

2) From a non-fiction standpoint, my WIP is "New Sheets - How Women Deal with Life's Frustrations" When I face great hardships and I crawl into bed at night -- there's nothing like BRAND NEW SHEETS. It sorta symbolizes that I've come to grips with whatever has caused the problem in my life. I buy new sheets. Crawling into a bed with nifty new sheets is like a clean slate. No wrinkles, they're not soft and squishy yet, broken in....instead they're a crisp new beginning. I want to write about how women deal with frustrating issues, like death, divorce - not once but twice or more, children, work, anger, bitterness, finances, ect.

There you have it. I've been tagged. Thanks Tricia...you woke me up! By the way...read Tricia's books -- check out the side bar on my blog and go see her books. NOW, I'm tagging author-friend
Virginia Smith
Blog Goddess and top notch Christian writer and author support queen - Gina Holmes
Review Wonder woman, Ane Mulligan

Now go girls. You're tagged.
Rules: Answer the question - what would you write about. Link back to the blogsite you learned about this and add a couple of friends. If you find something that might help your buddies develop their ideas...pass it along. See Tricia Goyer's blogsite in the side bar.

Meet My Newest Writer Friend

I'd like you to meet my newest writer friend, Tricia Goyer. Tricia has just had her fourth and final novel in her exhilarating series capturing the tales of men and women swept into World War II published.
THE ARMS OF DELIVERANCE is the story of two friends, Mary and Lee, who land similar reporting jobs at the New York Tribune on the eve of the war's outbreak, leading to them becoming competitors. Mary's coverage of a bombing raid over Germany leads to a plane wreck and and adventurous escape attempt from across enemy lines. When Lee hears of Mary's plight, she bravely heads to a war-torn Europe in an effort to help rescue her friend. Will there be enough time for diplomacy or will war get the best of everyone?
You'll have to read it to see! I highly recommend you begin, if you don't alreay, to support Christian writers. You may be pleasantly surprised at the variety of literature you'll be caught up in. Christian writers now span every aspect of the regular book world -- writing historicals, like Tricia's, to romance, inspirational, mystery, chick-lit...it's more than study Bibles. So check out Tricia's web site from under the "Links" in the sidebar. I guarantee you'll fall in love with these books.

When the Earth Moves

I am amazed at how someone can look at pictures of our earth and vaguely question that there is a God. Really.....just look at this picture--->

My Dalmatian woke me the other night wanting outside. At fourteen, her bones creak and crack as she limps down the stairs. As I opened the door and swipped at my eyes, I realized what a beautiful bright night it was. The moon was full and it hung low in the sky. I almost felt like I could reach out and touch it.

I sat down on the front porch and leaned back on my elbows. As my eyes began to adjust to the night light one by one, stars came into view. It was like someone was walking from star to star pulling a light cord and clicking them on. For a few moments I was awestruck. How can anyone question that God is real? Mankind certainly couldn't create such a wonderous sight.

And to think...this entire universe moves, slowly, consistantly, continually. It takes my breath away. Man spends a lifetime trying to explain away the efforts of one blink of God's eyes and it's just not possible to understand every detail -- all the whys or how comes. We can only trust and have faith that one who is bigger had the vision to create such a magnificant world.

I've heard that there are times in history when the earth moved -- such catastrophic events have happened that shook the earth to its very core. But to me, it doesn't take something huge to know that the earth moves. I only have to gaze into the night sky in faith and watch as we gingerly move throughout our place in space.

Ahhh - sounds so deep, huh? Not really. What is deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians tells us, " I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, withall the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love ofChrist." (Ephesians 3:17, 18)

This love of God is so much more than we can ever imagine or begin to conceive. Yet some still question. I need no further proof than the night sky, or the vastness of a mountain range to make me believe that there is one mightier than anything else.

When the earth moves, it only verifies what I already believe.

TOTALLY BLUSHING...

We've all done it. Yep..every single one of us. We've all, at some point in our lives, opened our mouth and inserted our foot up to the kneecap.
It's a horrible feeling. The stomach retches, a wave of blood rushes to your face illuminating the cheeks to a bright red (which by the way, SCREAMS idiot lives inside this body!). Regardless, we've all done it.
One would think at my age, I'd be better versed. Not today. Today, I pulled the unthinkable. I told an author, whom I've read their works and loved, that I'd read their newest UNreleased book. (Just ask me how totally embarrassed I was..)As wonderful as email is...once you hit send, it's too late to correct the error of your ways. I was so embarrassed. I've read her work and I was reading about the newest book ready to hit the shelves, and that's the name of the book I wrote I'd read. Man.....talk about looking gooby! (See the picture above....that would be me!)
I immediately sent a second email and tried to explain I had my mind one direction and my typing fingers in another. But do you think that really mattered? I'D ALREADY HIT SEND.
Therefore, being the writer and believer I am, I thought there has to be good somewhere in this situation. So, I rolled my eyes and looked to the ceiling. "Father, I've completely emabarrassed myself -- tell me what good there is in that?"
I feel sure God must have rolled His own eyes and shook His head from side to side. But through all that, I know a grin parted his lips. That's when He said, "Uhh huh. You certainly did goof. And yes, there is good. It's called humility. 'Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.'" He said as he gently stroked away the reddness in my cheeks. "Slow down, pay attention, and humble yourself before others. Place the heart of the servant in the forefront and others will see."
Oh, all right. So He was right. It was a sensless blunder, one caused by my own excitement and lack of paying attention. I've had so many irons in the fire lately that I've become a jack of all trades and truly a master of none. I suppose God thought it was time to hook and anchor to the seat of by pants.
Often times we become so engrossed in the sheer number of activities the world throws at us, we lose ourselves and our direction -- our focus. We become somewhat blinded. God loves for us to have abundance, but He also loves for us to use our abundance of gifts and talents properly; not overdone or outdone.
I suppose I can count myself, disciplined in one swift press of the send button. It's time to slow down, come down, and maybe even lie down and rest. God needs workers for the fields, but He needs us on top of our games - sharpened and ready for what tasks lay ahead.
I did apologize. For what it's worth, the author probably thinks, "What a goof-ball." But hopefully they'll take the error as a compliment. When you're thrilled by someone special, it's easy to become tongue-tied. To that author -- and I'm sure they know who they are -- My apologies for not paying attention to my email. And to my Father in heaven, "Alright! You made your point. I get it."
Anyone for some crow???

When Our Hearts Break

How do you describe heartbreak? How can you visualize it? As a writer, I would search, craft and sort to find the perfect expression of something which lies do deep.

For example: Heartbreak -- Your heart feels tight with emotion, that innate thing we only feel and yet can never really lay our hands on. It expands to the point you feel as if it's physically ripping in two. It beats harder not faster. (There's a difference.) Each thump of the muscle which lies inside your chest, pushes a rush of blood through your body, and the swish, swish, swish of the fluid can be heard inside your ears. Your breath is labored, leaving you with an urge of panic. What if I can't catch my breath? After a moment you take in a half breath, realizing it's not enough to live on. Your body longs for more oxygen. Your chest feels as though it will split in the middle. Right at the height of hysteria, you gasp, swallow, and allow your body to relax.

Does that accurately describe what we feel when our heart is breaking? This is where the writer searches for the right words -- the place that is lonely -- where emptiness dwells and peace is void. Intense, deep and hopeless.

Practically every person alive has remarked about a broken heart. We've used the term over and over again without great thought until we're suddenly blindsided by something that causes us great pain.

In the midst of our deepest heartbreak God allows us rescue. Psalm 34:18 tells us, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." isn't it a wonderful and peaceful thing to know? In the middles of what seems to be our worst turmoil, God is there to save our crushed spirits. He mends us gingerly with his needle and offers us a fraction of rest.

Through the brokenness He heals us completely, and from the reality of the situation we glean experience that will serve us or someone else at just the right time. Looking to Christ and asking Him to take the burden away, then allow Him to use the vessel in which it was housed is frightening. However, there is great relief within that first step of faith. There is hope.

When your heart breaks turn the broken pieces over to Jesus and don't take them back. Taking them back means He can't repair the shattered piece of pottery. Allow Him to work His miracle.