rambling along about Christian fiction

My friend Accidental Poet made a little comment about people turning their noses up at Christian Fiction. That got me thinking... so watch out, that always means a mess.

The school I went to didn't require us to read the Literary classics, we read Christian classics. So I read In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon, and others that I can't remember.

I wonder, was that considered Christian Fiction at the time? Did the distinction exist?

Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright has some great Christian themes, written in 1907. Many of the books I've read from that time period would be considered Christian today, I think, but my guess is that they were main stream back then.

My first forays into what we now know as Christian fiction was with the Janette Oke books. I loved them. They were wonderful. I wouldn't read them now, however.

Now I like my books to be gritty. I like them to be real. I like the relationships to have problems and the people to be nasty on occasion.

I don't have a favorite genre. I have loved books from all of them.

I want to talk first about historical fiction...

Jane Kirkpatrick's Kinship and Courage Series is about families heading west on a wagon train. The men all die one way or another and the women struggle on. I loved that series. Very rich. The characters are real. The events are often tragic, but there is faith and grace woven throughout.

Bodie and Brock Theone's Zion Covenant series is about the Holocaust. The characters are actually based on real people. The stories are based on real lives. A beautiful haunting series.
Their series The Zion Chronicles follows many of the same characters as they go to Palestine and are involved in the wars there for Israeli statehood. The history in their books is accurate and educational, but doesn't ever overwhelm the characters or the story.

Francine Rivers writes historical as well as other types of fiction. Her Mark of the Lion series is about a young Jewish woman taken into Roman slavery during the first century. Excellent details. Can't help but engage with the characters.

I recommend anything by Francine. She does not white wash life. Read Leota's Garden and see.

Well, my rambling along has gone on long enough. In another post I will talk about books from other genres that I recommend.

i beg your pardon

I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be a little rain sometime.

I always liked that Lynn Anderson song. :)
I think it could just as well be God talking to us.

We have promises galore, but He never promised our life on earth would be pretty. Or easy. Or smell good. So why do we act so surprised when things are messy.

We have so much to look forward to in heaven, but know what? This ain't heaven.

But He hasn't left us to just suffer and moan and groan. He has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. He promised to always be with us. And has given us so many promises for earthly life that I can't begin to keep track. And he also guarantees that this time on earth will be shorter than a fleas pinky toe. So "smile for a while and let's be jolly. Life shouldn't be so melancholy."

flippin out in la la land

ick! I can't write! What was I thinking? Oh, there's a few parts I like. The story, the characters, the plot. But golly, I hate the words!!
I'll think I'll pull my hair out instead.

am I not still God?

In a Bible Study Kathy Troccoli shares the experience of when her mother died.
She went down into the chapel of the hospital and fell to the floor weeping. She was despondant. Then she heard God speak, in that nearly audible way He has at times... He said, "Am I not still God?" She says that He asked her that several times until her heart was ready to agree.

Somehow, knowing that turns the world rightside up again.

She has written a devotional by that title and here is an article about it. http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/devotionals/kt091901.html

do I trust you?

Sometimes my little heart can't understand
What's in Your will, what's in Your plan.
So many times I'm tempted to ask
You why,
But I can never forget it for long.
Lord, what You do could not be wrong.
So I believe You,
even when I must cry.

Do I trust You, Lord?
Does the river flow?
Do I trust You, Lord?
Does the north wind blow?
You can see my heart,
You can read my mind,
And You got to know
That I would rather die
Than to lose my faith
In the One I love.
Do I trust You, Lord?
Do I trust You?

I know the answers, I've given them all.
But suddenly now, I feel so small.
Shaken down to the cavity in my soul.
I know the doctrine and theology,
But right now they don't mean much to me.
This time there's only one thing
I've got to know.

Do I trust You, Lord?
Does the robin sing?
Do I trust You, Lord?
Does it rain in spring?
You can see my heart,
You can read my mind,
And You got to know
That I would rather die
Than to lose my faith
In the One I love.
Do I trust You, Lord?
Do I trust You?

I will trust You, Lord,
when I don't know why.
I will trust You, Lord,
till the day I die.
I will trust You, Lord,
when I'm blind with pain!
You were God before,
and You'll never change.
I will trust You.I will trust You.
I will trust You, Lord.
I will trust You.

"Do I Trust You" by Twila Paris
"The Warrior is a Child"

writer stuff

Some help for writers:
This site is a writing course - free, online. It even includes grammer which I might also need probably, too.
http://www.coping.org/write/compos/content.htm

Need some inspiration? Blocked on your current project? Then check this cool thing out!
http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/#

Happy writing to those of you actually writing.

Leslie Phillips Strength of My Life Lyrics

I open my eyes to the sound of morning news
And wish for ten more minutes left to sleep
And as I get into the shower the thoughts of
Facing one more day
Overwhelm me and I begin to weep
And I've never felt like
I've needed your help,
So bad

Verse 2:
Well, my tears are pushed away now for the
Sake of morning rush'til the
Bible on the table catches my eye
And I read that you are near to the hearts that
Break with grief
And I realize that I don't have to try
To live life myself because you're ready to help me live

Bridge :
And everyday I look to you
To be the strength of my life
You're the hope I hold onto
Be the strength of my life

Chorus:
Be the strength of my life
Strength of my life
Be the strength of my life today
Be the strength of my lifeS
trength of my life
Be the strength of my life today

Verse 3:
Each day has it's problems, it troubles and it's tears
And it seems I'm always anything but strong
When I learn to know my weakness,
I understand your strength
And even when the hard times last so long
I won't try by myself,
I'll just ask for your help
Each day

dumb sheep

I was praying earnestly in church today. Laying it all out for God. Explaining to Him how best He could accomplish my request and fix things that I need fixed.

Then, I pictured a sheep in the pasture full of sheep, looking up at her shepherd and telling Him the best way to manage His flock. It hit me so clearly, I almost giggled in church.

I am sure that my Shepherd knows exactly what He's doing and how to do it. I imagine that a goofy sheep that runs away at the site of anything unusual and can't even find decent food for herself is not a good advisor.

This dumb sheep is thankful that her Shepherd knows His business and is doing it well -- as always.

parking garage of life

“I don’t like it here” my four year old son said as we pulled into the dark parking garage. He always wants me to park on the top of the garage in the sunlight. It is a bit spooky in there in the dim light, with the smell of car fumes and the sounds of tires and steering columns squealing.
So it is natural that he wouldn't like it. He wanted to be somewhere else. And I said, “It’s Okay, I’m here with you.” He didn’t say another word, just grabbed my hand and stuck close. It was enough that his mommy, who loves him and who would lay down her life for him, was with him.

Isn’t life like that? We so often come into dark places in our life where we really would rather not be. We want to be in the sunshine. We say to God, “I don’t like it here!” “I really don’t want to go through this!” And God, who loves us and who did lay down His life for us, says, “It’s Okay. I’m here with you.” That’s enough. We shall take his hand, and stick close.

loop de loops

The loop de loops have begun.

I thought they would be fun.

I was wrong.

Everything is upside down.

I don't like it.

Hang on.

how normal are you?

This is what this test said about me. Good thing I think normal is over-rated.

***You Are 25% Normal***
You sure do march to your own beat...But you're so weird, people wonder if it's a beat at all. You think on a totally different wavelength. And it's often a chore to get people to understand you.
How Normal Are You?http://www.blogthings.com/hownormalareyouquiz/

what kind of writer should you be?

No matter what quiz I take, it tells me I'm weird. Go figure.

This one tells me what kind of writer I should be:

***You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer***
Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you're from.And while you may have some problems being "normal," you'll have no problems writing sci-fi.Whether it's epic films, important novels, or vivid comics...Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world!
What Type of Writer Should You Be?http://www.blogthings.com/whattypeofwritershouldyoubequiz/

LOL - I can't really imagine writing science fiction. I don't read much science fiction... hmmm.

I actually took a quiz to see how normal I was and well... I wasn't very. I'll have to see if I can find that one again.

la la land

I am losing my mind. You know that saying -- "Don't let your mind wander, it might not come back" or something like that. Well, it's true, I guess.

I have a 90 year old friend with a better memory than mine.

Just today I got a message from my friend asking if we were still getting together tomorrow. So I decided to get on-line to check the movie listings, then I would call her back. So, I get on here, look at blogs, check my e-mail, and the next thing I know I am typing away on my story! Well, thats good. Need to do that. But I completely forgot all about my friend.

When I walk into a store, I always have to stand there a minute until I remember why I'm there.

When I walk downstairs, I always come straight in to the computer, even though my goal may have been to put towels in the dryer.

My mom tells me not to worry, because she is the same way. Then I remind her that she's 66 and I'm not.

My husband tells me he's worried. He told me that sometimes when I call him at work, he thinks I'm calling to tell him I'm lost and need him to come and get me! LOL! I had no idea I was that senile!

At the store today the clerk asked me three times if I had found everything I needed. When he caught himself I told him his brain was out there in La La Land with mine. I told him if he saw mine, would he please tell it to go home. I miss it.

random and weird

I have been tagged! I am supposed to share 10 random, weird things about myself and then tag my friends!
1. I will eat almost anything once - ALMOST anything
2. I cry watching sad cartoons/animation
3. I like to sing really loud in the car
4. Sometimes in a store, I catch myself boogieing a little to the MUZAK
5. I spent about 10 hours per week in a Nursing home when I was a kid
6. I have seen people die
7. I watched our dog get spayed when I was a teenager
8. I can write holding a pen with my toes
9. I like ketchup sandwiches
10. I think animals can talk - God just doesn't let them

here's Lucy...

You know, Lucy from Peanuts? My mom and sister used to say I was just like her. In truth, I was. And I was a little proud of it - go figure... Proud of being bossy and crabby?

The wonderful work of God's spirit in me has really stifled that old Lucy. But lately, she's back...

Not with a vengeance or anything. I'm not feeling real bossy. But I am crabby lately. And know what? I'm not proud of it. In fact I hate it. What IS going on? I love to blame the ever blamable hormones - so I just might.

This morning was rough - mornings always are. My girl hates them as much as I do and we always have conflict in the AM. So as I was asking God to Please, Please Help Me Not Let This Ruin My Whole Day - I had a thought. Go for a walk. So after I finally got them to school I headed to the park where I walked around and around looking at ducks and Pike's Peak. And hey! It really did help! I love it when God gives me those kind of answers! Practical, immediate result type of answers!

So, maybe ol' Lucy is going down again.

Daylight Saving Time?

What in the world? I don't have an account full of daylight somewhere, do you? Where is all this daylight we've been saving? Shouldn't we be able to pull some out for a dreary day?

Ok, so what is your opinion of this weird custom?
Please, share. This is a poll more or less. Just say whether you love it or hate it, or you can wax poetic on the topic if you choose, but really...what do you think?

I'll tell you what I think, if you haven't already guessed - I think it's dumb.

Research

Sheryl asked me to share some research tips. Hahahaha! I haven't done research in years! So, I'm pretty much winging it. If I figure anything out, I'll let you know, though.
I just went to the library and typed in the subjects I wanted. Then when I couldn't find them, I talked to the reference librarian who helped me out.
I ended up with a great source there to look at and some to bring home. She also showed me how to access their articles on-line so I can do that at home.

Finding pictures of my characters was Angela Hunt's idea, not mine. But it does help me a lot to be able to see them!

pj day

Today the kids have no school - teacher workday or some such. So we are all hanging out in our jammies! I don't know how long it has been since we had a pj day. But I'm lovin it! Of course it is a marvelous day outside, so I may end up clothed and outdoors before too long.

hey, I put a new post on my other blog in case any of you who read this also read that. By the way, is anyone reading this??

Will - I know you are. Will is my hubby's drinking buddy. ha ha. The do their "drinking" at the coffee shop.

Susan has left a comment or two, so perhaps she's reading.

Anyone else?

If you read, just say "here" so I know I'm not blathering into outer space. I would hate to waste all these deep thoughts.

feeling better

I managed to get some words on paper this morning after my first post. It is virtual paper, but they are real words! I feel a little better now.
Every word I write feels like progress, but also feels like nothing at all. When I think of all the words yet to write....
Stick by stick, I keep telling myself!!

help me, I'm drowning

Feeling funky today. Not as in Funky, but as in grumpy, just a little down in the dumps.

I think it is because I am overwhelmed. And because my darling boy was so grouchy this AM. I just loved being growled at first thing in the morning.

I am wanting to write, feeling frustrated that I haven't made much progress. I have spent time with my characters. I know my main character better now and I found photos of them all. I also spent some time in research and have some good ideas of where to continue that research.

But I have been busy. Today will be busy- I have to take the kids to appointments during school, (there goes my free time) and my folks are coming up after that. And also, I need to be packing up and cleaning my house because it is going to take me forever to do that and I only have until the end of June! We need to find a house to move all of this junk into in June...

So in my complete inability to organize myself, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and getting nothing done. Where do I start! gulp. Where do I go from there? Someone, ORGANIZE ME!!

stop it already!

God had a little talk with me yesterday. I'm still not all clear on what He said. I have too much junk in my own brain swirling around with His perfect words.

See, I am not content with being a wife and mother. I love my family, but I do not find it fulfilling the way so many friends of mine do. So, I surely must be bad. Good wives and mothers love it and find complete satisfaction in their role. What is Wrong With Me?

Well, God told me yesterday that probably nothing is wrong with me. That He made me the way I am and that I have to STOP comparing myself to others. At least, that's what I think He said.

Personality type

I just read something wonderful! Something so encouraging...
I have known my personality type for years...INFP. I haven't always been interested in writing, but now that I am... get a load of this!
The INFP needs to feel that everything they do in their lives is in accordance with their strongly-felt value systems, and is moving them and/or others in a positive, growth-oriented direction. They are driven to do something meaningful and purposeful with their lives. The INFP will be happiest in careers which allow them to live their daily lives in accordance with their values, and which work towards the greater good of humanity. It's worth mentioning that nearly all of the truly great writers in the world have been INFPs.
Possible Career Paths for the INFP:
Writers
Counselors / Social Workers
Teachers / Professors
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Musicians
Clergy / Religious Workers

Whoo hoo! I'm ready to roll! Heading out to do the all important research here in a while!!
Oh, I got this info from http://www.personalitypage.com/home.html

Gotta run!

jokes

It suddenly occurred to me today that my kids finally know how to tell real jokes! "What does a pirate say in Alaska? Shiver me timbers, (laugh, laugh, laugh)." "What kind of bird can be heard at mealtime? a swallow, (ha ha ha)."

This is real progress! I don't know exactly when the change happened, but it hasn't been too long since they would say, "knock knock." "who's there?" "Meow" "meow who?" "Meow cat. (hysterical rolling on the floor)". I'm rolling my eyes. I know you can tell without me saying so.

So yippee for humor maturation!!

one down... we have a new car now! And it's nice... And he has no regrets!!

I am more pretty as I just got a hair cut and color. So we are both happy. But my happiness cost less.

Decisions

We are in decision making mode around here and it isn't pretty. My dear hubby is trying to decide whether to buy a car or not and it is driving him crazy. He needs a car. I gave my input. Get a car. He just left saying he is going to get one, but we'll see.

He is also being begged and pleaded with to take a job with his former employer. They are making it look pretty good and it is more reliable than his consulting business he's been doing. But, there are so many questions.

We are deciding whether or not to move out of town. Although I think this decision is pretty much made. I think we are planning the move, but still, if he takes that job where we are now....

God is so good at working everything out well in advance, like before we were born. But we have such a hard time figuring out what He's saying. Such a hard time waiting for Him to do His thing, because He seldom does it when we want Him to.

I have a little bit easier time trusting God with this kind of stuff. How do I help my husband learn how to do that? I guess there is nothing I can do. That is another one of God's things that He will do in His own good time.

Pray for us...

Peace

Now that I have figured out how to log into my account, for cryin out loud!

I discovered today that my Peace had once again lost her head! If anyone needs to maintain a cool head -- well any kind of head would be good -- it's Peace!
I have a little Willow Tree figurine that is named Peace. Lovely. She was given to me by some ladies who attended a Bible Study I led. So I love her. Plus, I love Peace. Plus, I desperately need peace. But almost the first day she came into our tumultuous home, she fell and broke her neck. Literally. It was very sad. I glued her head back on and it really was not very noticeable. But she has lost her head numerous times since.
Today, while vacuuming, I glanced behind me for some reason and there she stood, headless. I'm suspecting that the tragedy occured while I was away from home for hours on end this week having a marvelous time at a conference.
I would hope that Peace could keep her head in my absence, but since she seldom does in my presence, why should she while I'm gone?

May God's Peace be with you today. His peace remains firmly in tact, head to toe, in any situation.

Hello, World! I am new here, but if you would like to read previous posts you can go to http://360.yahoo.com/Keep1hope and see my blog there. I thought I would try this format for a change of pace.