no tsunami big enough

The church we visited today had a guest from India. I guess back when the tsunami hit this church collected money to build over 270 homes for this one little village. They were receiving no help other than what came from this church.

The villagers had told the people that they would appreciate their help, but they did not want to hear about Christianity.

There are now 75 Christians in this little village. The love of God demonstrated through His people won them. There is a church in this little town where there has never --NEVER--been a church before. Ever.

Our God is a God who redeems. That is Who He Is. That is what He does. He redeems people. He redeems situations. Yes, the tsunami was a tragedy. So many people died and there was so much devastating loss and suffering. But if not for that tragedy, these people would possibly never have been open to the love of God. God redeems.

Merriam-Webster says Redeem means:

1 a: to buy back : repurchase

b: to get or win back

2: to free from what distresses or harms: as: a. to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental

c: to release from blame or debt : clear

d: to free from the consequences of sin

3: to change for the better : reform

4: repair, restore

5 a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby

b (1): to remove the obligation of by payment

(2): to exchange for something of value

c: to make good : fulfill

6 a: to atone for : expiate

b (1): to offset the bad effect of

(2): to make worthwhile : retrieve

about the last post

You know, I do enjoy happy endings. And sometimes I want to read something just for fun or to relax. So I am in no way criticizing those kind of books. It's just that I would like to see more variety. And I would like to see a stark contrast between Christian fiction and secular fiction. I can relax with books from either market; I want something more from my Christian fiction.

I thought I was really weird and, well, I was right. But I can't help being weird, I guess. My husband and I did these personality tests -- you can see it on the right side of my blog. In fact it's free and it's fun, so you should go do it. There are a lot of links then that tell you all about your personality, or temperament type. Mine happened to mention that my type enjoys being sad. I knew that about myself, but I kept it secret because, well, it's weird. But apparently it's sort of ingrained, so I'm not gonna be ashamed anymore! LOL It is also a part of my temperament to love rain. And I do.

So while Camelot is one of my favorite stories because it is just so darn tragic, I guess maybe I am in the minority with that. Which means that probably I won't find a lot of books that don't have formulaic happy endings. And I guess really that is my biggest complaint is that so many books are just so predictable. And I like unpredictable. If it had a happy ending, but I didn't see it coming, I would like that, too!

So, enough about me. I really would like to hear what you specifically want out of a book. Whatever market you prefer. What genres do you like best and what do you want to gain or experience when you read a novel?

why i read christian fiction

I want to see God. I want to read stories about people dealing with real struggles, but handling them in a way that shows God's grace, power, and love. I want to see redemption. I want to see reconciliation. I want to see that the things that matter to God are so much different from the things that matter to us. Not because He has the wrong priorities, but because we do.


I don't want to just be entertained. I am disappointed in books that are nice reads and the character happens to be a Christian, (we know this because she occasionally goes to church).

I want to be challenged. I want to learn. I want to be convicted. I want to be different in some small, (or big) way from having read it.

I want to see people living the Christian life the way it should be lived, not the way it usually is lived.


I have read so many comments by people saying they don't want to be hit over the head with Christianity in Christian fiction. My question is, why do they read it then? I have read a lot of good secular books that are clean, and have a great message. Why not just read those?


Christian fiction is written for Christians. We shouldn't have to soft sell God in Christian fiction. If it were a story written for unbelievers, then some gentle tact is required in getting the message across, but the message still needs to get across. And it should probably be an ABA book so the person will pick it up in the first place. Most non-believers aren't buying up the Christian fiction, are they?


What I'd like to see more of: Characters who pray fervently about their decisions instead of winging it. People who look to God for direction and guidance. More stories demonstrating the sovereignty of God. People with questions and dilemmas that don't necessarily get solved. And I'd love to see some tragic endings. I am so tired of predictable story lines. Life doesn't always go the way we expect. How about stories showing that God is still in control even when our world falls apart. Life doesn't tie up neatly, there are always loose ends. I've read books about worlds falling apart and God picking up the pieces, but they always have the predictable happy ending. What if the person doesn't get cured from a deadly illness, but instead finds God's peace and strength to bear it? What if the handsome neighbor turns out to be an abuser, but the woman calls off the wedding just in time? Or what if she doesn't? What if a lovelorn woman continually has bad relationships until she realizes God is her all in all and that He will be sufficient for her in a life of singleness? Not everyone gets married. Not everyone gets cured. Not everyone has a marriage that is roses and walks in the moonlight.


Well, I hope there is some kind of market for this stuff that I want, because it's the way I plan to write.


I'm not saying there aren't some books out there like this. I'm saying there aren't enough. Lisa Samson's Tiger Lilly is a great example. If you know of some, tell me what they are.

heavy laden

"I was with book, as a woman is with child."
Orual in Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis

you sang to me

You may be wondering why I picked some of the songs I did for my play list. Or, maybe, you haven't given it a single thought. But in case you have, I shall explain. None of them were chosen simply because I like them. In fact there is music that I like that I did not choose because I didn't have a reason other than simply liking it. Like Tom Jones. I love Tom Jones, but couldn't find one of his songs that fit here.

You Sang to Me - Marc Anthony
Oh... I just wanted you to comfort me
When I called you late last night you see
I was fallin' into love
Yes, I was crashin' into love
Oh of all the words you sang to me
About life, the truth and being free, yeah
You sang to me, oh how you sang to me
Girl, I live off how you make me feel
So I question all this being real'
Cause I'm not afraid to love
For the first time I'm not afraid of love
Oh, this day seems made for you and me
And you showed me what life needs to be
Yeah, you sang to me, oh you sang to me

All the while you were in front of me I never realized
I just can't believe I didn't see it in your eyes
I didn't see it, I can't believe it
Oh but I feel it
When you sing to me
How I long to hear you sing beneath the clear blue skies
And I promise you this time I'll see it in your eyes
I didn't see it, I can't believe it
Oh but I feel it
When you sing to me

Just to think you live inside of me
I had no idea how this could be
Now I'm crazy for your love
Can't believe I'm crazy for your love
The words you said you sang to me
And you showed me where I wanna be
Yeah you sang to me, oh you sang to me

All the while you were in front of me I never realized
I just can't believe I didn't see it in your eyes
I didn't see it, I can't believe it
Oh but I feel it
When you sing to me
How I long to hear you sing beneath the clear blue skies
And I promise you this time I'll see it in your eyes
I didn't see it, I can't believe it
Oh but I feel it

The first time I heard that song it has a spiritual feeling to it. I can remember it clearly and it was years ago. (Now don't get me wrong. I don't think God is a girl, you have to leave that part out) It seems to be a song of me talking to God because He has sung over me my whole life, but so often I haven't "seen it" for whatever reason. So I have, because of this song, become more intent on listening, more focused on seeing Him singing over me.

Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

haiku

two snakes by the lake

as if one were not enough

i withheld all squeals

Yay me! Not for the poetry, but for the incredible bravery.

umm...mom?

I've heard people say that they always felt like they were their mom's favorite. But then they say that their siblings felt the same way. Now, how does a parent manage that? How can you favor a child without the other one feeling...stepped on? See, most of the people I know noticed when the sibling was being favored, not when they themselves were. So, what is the secret? Anyone know? I would love for both of my kids to grow up believing they were my favorite child.

What about you? Which birdie are you? I admit, I feel like the one with a mom on it's head. But my sister always thought I was the favorite. I'm sure my kids both think the other one is preferred. My mom and her sisters always joked that their brother was a favorite because he was the only boy and my aunt was the favorite girl because she was sick, (she had Lupus for years).

Hat tip to Robin Lee Hatcher for the photo.