Walk This Way

This amazing sunset made me want to drive to the beach (about 3-5 minutes away) and watch it set over the water. But you can see that car lights were already on. So I snapped this picture hanging out the car window. I didn't realize I got the lighted man on the crosswalk, too.

My excitement to see the beautiful sunset became frustration as the sky darkened. Sadly, I didn't make it to the beach in time. My trip was futile.

"'When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: "This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!' All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home. Those who knew Jesus well, along with the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a respectful distance and kept vigil." Luke 23:47-49

The disciples walked with Jesus. They were amazed by His glory and power and loved Him. On this day when The Light died, they left for home, eventually the women did also. Their hopes dashed, their future uncertain. The dark sky matched the agony of their souls.

All appeared lost.


photo:karenevans

One of These Things is Not Like the Other

Remember that little song? I saw this was in my back yard a few weeks ago when it was so cold. Can you see what it is? I didn't notice it until he moved when I almost stepped on him. Even then he would only jump a bit when I touched him. Yes, girlfriends, I can touch lizards, besides they eat all the yucky bugs I don't like.


Anyway, he stayed there long enough for me to go inside and get my camera. I bent down beside him and put my camera close, he didn't move. Then Major, my dog, came trotting over to see what was up. I had to almost push him into the bushes to keep him safe. The only thing I can think of, is that he was too cold to move or didn't want to leave the sunshine for the cool and safety of the shade.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalms 4:8

I can think of times in my life when circumstances or emotional baggage made me not want to move. Too cold to get on with daily, normal life, even when I knew it would be for my own good.

Then the large hand of God poked me to "get a jump on," and then carried me to safety.

Have you ever been there?

*I must thank Natasha for the lovely Sugar Doll award. Check out her neat blog.*

Haiti

Watch this video. Just click on those words.

All I'm gonna say is Amen.

Have a thankful day.

Another Doggie Day

Here's Major as a pup. Look how little he was then. (He's an English Golden Retriever.) Oh, the biting on everything. This must've looked like a neat stick, right inside the house! Problem was, he couldn't move it to take it with him as he ran away from me.


After I laughed a bit, 'cause puppies are the cutest things, and snapped this picture, I got serious. He looked at me as if to say, "This is mine, I found it first. Just help me take it to my cushion, please."


Grabbing the Bitter Apple Spray, I think the name was Granny's Bitter..., oh I can't remember, but something like that, I sprayed all the chair rungs, and hoped it wouldn't stain. Major went back to try again, but just the smell and one tiny air lick persuaded him otherwise. Yeah for Granny and her apples!


"The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting." Psalms 138:8


How many times do my ideas, and maybe even my motives seem great. Boy, it sure looks good, sounds good and wouldn't I be proud of myself. I would take it back to my cushion and chew that stick in all its glory.


Then impulsive bitterness coats my tongue and heart as God shows me other plans, better plans, so nothing would get harmed in the process--including me. I need to check with the Master first, in all things.


Have you ever been sprayed?

Scare-dy Dog

This weekend we went to the opening of Petco---you know, sing it with me, "Petco, where the pets go." Big dogs and little dogs, all of them ate free treats and their servants uh, hum...were given bags of toys and sample foods for them to bring home. Contests for the best dressed, biggest, littlest....okay you get the idea.

In the back of the store, they set up a photo shoot, just for the dogs. A tall white cloth background hung down and draped onto the floor. I watched as proud servants, uh, owners tried to get their pet to stay still for the photo.

One dog was terrified. He struggled pulling away with his tail tucked and eventually messed up the cloth. I didn't watch to see the end. These owners just wanted a special memory moment of their dog, but he didn't understand. He was scared of the draping cloth and that his family was not standing with him.

"'I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,' we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless not matter what. Who or what can get to me?" Hebrews 13 :5-6

When God leads toward unfamiliar territory and I balk and pull back, I must appear to Him as this dog did with his photo shoot. I must trust His loving hand and step out on the white drape. Even if He lets go of my leash for a moment, I know His plan is just, and He's right beside me, even if I don't feel it so.

Are you in a strange place? What keeps you tethered?

photo:bing

Found Art-Book Review

Found Art by Leeana Tankersley, written about her year in the Middle East with her Navy SEAL husband, began with much introspection. At first, I became a tad put off, but reading further, she got me thinking. (I think that was the point.)



Leeana found special places and people in Bahrain who touched her spirit and mind.



My son fought in the Iraq war, so her method of walking that unknown road, resonated with me.



Leeana touched me with her passionate chapter about the Grand Mosque, when she found God there.



This book is written art from her soul. "Pain, like no other place perhaps, is where our art is born, where our stories are written, our canvases brushed, our scores composed. Though we so often want to deny the discomfort, suffering is one of the few things that can lead us to the place where we find the God we so desperately long for." (pg 166-167)



Leeana risked baring her innermost thoughts to write this book. May God bless her work.






Leeana TankersleyA native of San Diego, Leeana Tankersley received her B.S. in English from Liberty University and her M.A. in English from West Virginia University. After marrying her husband, Steve, Leeana lived in the Middle East during the Iraq war and returned to San Diego to work at Flood Church. She and Steve now live in Coronado, California with their twins Luke and Lane.
Learn more about Leeana at http://www.gypsyink.com/



I received this book at no cost for reviewing from Blog Tour Spot.
Read other reviews here. Check out her book on Amazon.

Stuff from the Conference

Whew, what a whirlwind! Had a great time at the Florida Christian Writers Conference. On the left is the main hall for the key speakers, but also where the dreaded 15 minute interview/pitch sessions were held. Editors, agents, authors, publishers, all came. I think they liked to see us squirm. No....not really.

On the right is me, I would like to say the skinny tall one, but nope, the fat short one on the right. Next to me is Angela Hunt, yes you read right and her author friend, Nancy Rue who co-taught our continuing class. Then the cutie on the left is my writing friend, Johnnie (one of the kindred heart group.)

Alas, I don't have the picture of me "hob-knobbing" with Jerry Jenkins--but I did get him to sign his book, Riven. (Haven't read it yet, my hubbie grabbed it first.)

Also, I must thank Cecil Murphey, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven, Gentle Hands, and up-teen more books, who sponsored me with a scholarship. God bless you, Cec.

I'm still recouping, from the late nights and early morns, but well worth it. I may have found a home for my teen military/cop devotionals. Wouldn't that be a hoot! Now, it's back to rewriting, and rewriting....yuk...but yeah!

"Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple." 2 Timothy 2:15 (The Message)

Must work, must pay for the books I bought!

Can You See Me?

You won't find me here, so quit looking. I'm still at the conference.

I'll be back in blogger land on my next scheduled post on Wednesday. But you can find out how about the conference on my group blog.

Don't have too much fun while I'm gone. I'll try my best to catch up with everyone next week.

I'm leaving on a....

When you read this post I will be at the Florida Christian Writers Conference with these wonderful ladies, the Kindred Heart Writers.



I was so pushed for time, uh, I think the word is procrastination, that I my WIP (work in progress) was not progressing. I wrote a carefully crafted email to my freinds.....well can you say, whinning....that I may not be ready to hand anything in for editors to "look see."



Their kind hearts, forgave my delinquency and said to just go and learn, listen and enjoy. I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much better. That day after work, it dawned on me why my WIP was out of sync. I rewrote, and now I have something to submit. YEAH.



"The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you." Psalms 116:6-7



Why is it when I struggle so, and then finally give up and rest a while, things become clearer? Is it my frustration that clouds my vision, or is it I want to do things my way? Probably both. When will I learn to work and rest?



Do you find that in your life?



Here's hoping an editor likes my vision.