Robin Lee Hatcher's Write Thinking

christian carnival #89

Another week. Another Christian carnival.

Check it out at In the Spirit of Grace.

baby steps

Do you ever feel that you are failing to be all that God called you to be? Do you ever get weary of "working on" yourself in obedience to the Scriptures? You know, trying to be that Proverbs 31 woman. Ack! Yeah, me too.

Well, take heart. Here is a verse to remind us that God's work in our lives doesn't happen in an instant. It's a journey. (And it's a joint project: God reveals and we obey.) The truth is, we are not yet where we want to be, but thank God, we are not where we used to be either.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...
(Zechariah 4:10, NLT)

We step out in faith. We read the Word and we see an area in our lives, in our hearts, that needs changed. Seeing the problem doesn't make it go away in an instant. Some habits or feelings have been part of our makeup for years, and it will take time to break them. But as we take those small first steps, the Lord rejoices because He sees the beginning of the work.

I have my doubts that I will ever be that Proverbs 31 woman while walking this earth, but at least I'm taking baby steps in her direction. Small beginnings make the Lord rejoice.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

laying your isaac down

The current audio book in my car CD player is When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances by Carol Kent. Here's what Publisher's Weekly had to say about the book:

When the phone call came at 12:35 a.m., a bleary-eyed Kent listened as her husband passed on the unbelievable news that their son, a United States Naval Academy graduate and Navy lieutenant, had shot and killed his wife's ex-husband. During those first few hours after receiving the harrowing news, major decisions, both legal and financial, needed to be made quickly. So began the Kents' two-and-a-half-year journey that led to the trial, conviction and sentencing of their son for first-degree murder.... Using a biblical story from Genesis 22 where God asked Abraham to literally "lay down his Isaac" as a sacrifice and then intervened at the last moment, Kent prayed for a similar miraculous outcome for her son. She shares her story with a transparency and vulnerability that readers will find both disarming and bracing. The Kent family's ongoing fight against despair and hopelessness is fittingly paired with their resolute faith in God's ability to transform even the most crushing circumstances into something good.

This is a book everyone should read. If you've known hardship in the past or are presently in the midst of a personal storm, Ms. Kent's story — and the stories of others who found hope despite horrid circumstances — will offer encouragement. It will also challenge you toward a deeper faith.

-rlh-

no matter what

As my regular blog readers know, I read through the Bible from Genesis through Revelation in odd numbered years. Today, I reached the book of Habakkuk. This book contains several Scriptures that are particularly meaningful to me.

Habakkuk 2:2 speaks to me about my writing. God has called me to share the truth I've discovered in His word, to write clearly so that people can read about God's answers and tell others.

Then the LORD said to me, "Write my answer in large, clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else."

Habakkuk 2:3 encourages me to persevere, even when life gets harder than I think I can bear. God's word is true, and I can trust Him to complete the work in the proper time.

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed."

Habakkuk 3:17-19 has been marked in my Bibles (along with Daniel 3:17-18, Job 13:15, and Deuteronomy 10:21) since 1976, the year I became a Christian. Life hasn't turned out for me the way I envisioned it would. Does it for anyone? Marriage, children, career — life has taken turns and detours that I never anticipated. But even in the hard times, even in the disappointments, no matter what, I will praise the Lord!

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.

Twila Paris said: "A big part of Christian maturity is learning to let God keep you steady and to be ruled less and less by your emotions and circumstances."

The longer I live, the more I understand that I cannot find my contentment and joy in the circumstances of life. Because too often in this world, the fig tree won't have blossoms, the vines won't have grapes, the olive crops will fail, and the fields will lie bare. My contentment and joy can only be found in my relationship with the God of my salvation. When I rejoice in Him, I become as surefooted as a deer on this craggy mountain that makes up my earthly life.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

24 doesn't seem to be enough

Blogging has been taking a back seat in my life for several months. Not that I don't want to have more of a presence here, but just because I (1) rarely have a reasonably good thought left in my head that I think would be of interest or (2) just don't seem to have enough hours in the day. I've been making some efforts to streamline and organize my little corner of the world, but I'm not sure how successful I've been.

I have three more trips coming up over the next three weeks. I'll be glad when they've come and gone, even though I will enjoy myself while there (one trip is a gathering of Christian writers at a publishing house; one is to lead a Christian women's retreat; and one is to teach a creativity workshop at a conference). I've reached the point where flying doesn't seem much fun anymore. I am ready to settle in for the winter, hunker down, me and my computer and my space heater in my office, and write without distractions. Of course, that's ignoring that I have jury duty coming up in early December; that could prove a major distraction!

After church today, I have to prepare a two to three minute "script" for a taped interview later this week where I'll talk about a book that will come out next year. Oh, goodness. I haven't a clue!

-rlh-

ain't nothin' like the folks we love

Just a quick note to say that the "tiara" photo shown a couple of posts ago was taken by our fourth wonderful roommate at ACFW, Deb Raney. Deb sent me a photo she took with her camera using a time delay so she could dash into the shot. (The rest of us removed our tiaras so she wouldn't feel left out.)

Deb is such a terrific person and an award-winning author. In Tammy's wonderful testimony on Friday night, she called Deb a "woman full of grace." I razzed Deb something fierce about that over the next couple of days (sorry, Deb), but it's true. She is "all that." If you don't know Deb's books, do yourself a favor and read one. Check out her web site for more information.

Whenever I start counting all the wonderful people God has brought into my life — as friends, as counselors, as mentors, as family — I can't help but be thankful.

-rlh-

addicted to lost

Have I talked about ABC's Lost on here before? Oh my goodness! What great TV! Somebody give a shout for the writers of this series. It truly is one of the most captivating shows I've seen in years. I didn't watch last year as it sounded to me like just another Survivor but with an official script. I was wrong. I caught some repeats this summer and was hooked. I think I saw three of the 24 episodes with dabs from two or three others.

I was going to be good and wait to rent the show from Netflix, but when the first season released on DVD on September 6th, I could not resist. They were on sale so I bought them. I took several DVDs with me on my trip (jumped out of my airplane seat and scared my seatmates twice when something unexpected happened) and have watched not much else while I played catch up. I finished the Season One cliffhanger last night.

Rave, rave, rave.

Tonight is the premier of Season Two. (One hour of a recap of Season One, then someone goes into "the hatch" in the premier). Who knows where the writers will take us this year? An island monster, polar bears in the tropics, the French chick, the Others, the hatch. Oh, and who will live and who will die? Will they kill off a favorite character or will they all survive until the series ends, however many years away that is? And which character(s) do I like the most? Every time they show me a bit more of their pasts, I am so eager to know them more. Every single one of them. Jack, Sayid, Charlie, Sawyer, Kate, Jin, Sun, Locke, Michael, Claire, Hurley... And which of the extra castaways will rise this season to some importance?

I don't recommend much TV, but boy oh boy, do I recommend this one. The writing is excellent and so is the acting. Kudos to ABC on the well deserved Emmy wins for this one.

-rlh-

if this is tuesday...

... this must be Boise.

Two nights in my own bed, and I'm beginning to feel a little more human. Yesterday was a blur of unpacking and sorting through mail and attending to the "urgent." Like buying food. Talk about bare cupboards!

In my last post, I mentioned meeting the bloggers of Cerulean Sanctum and Fallible and commented on the "tall and the short of it." Well, here is proof. Meet Katy and Dan, two extremely nice people. Isn't that a great photo? It was taken by Tammy Alexander (see below).

I have three more trips coming up quickly (to Michigan, to Colorado, and to Oklahoma). One of those is a Christian women's retreat, the other two are writers' conferences. I love leading retreats and getting together with other writers, but to tell the truth, I'm tired of traveling and then playing catch-up because of it. The good news is that after mid-October, I'm done until well into 2006.

Two of my writing buddies (Sunni Jeffers and Tammy Alexander) were my roommates at the ACFW conference. We have been emailing each other our word production numbers each day because we are all on tight deadlines, so we are trying to challenge one another to excel. The one who has written the most was awarded a "verbal" tiara. Well, Sunni decided we should have the real thing, so she brought us tiaras. Isn't this a pretty bunch of writers? We clean up well when we have to go out in public! (Left to right, we are Robin, Tammy & Sunni.)

And speaking of word production, I must get to mine.

-rlh-

from nashville

Hello from the great state of Tennessee and the heart of country music.

Lots has happened in the week since my last post. Friday through Sunday, I was leading a Christian women's retreat in the mountains over looking Boise. It turned cold and even spit a few snowflakes at us. When I got up Saturday morning to go to breakfast, it was 32 degrees. Brrr. But the retreat was wonderful. As I shared my heart and the lessons God has taught me, He was busy confirming and strengthening me. He is so good.

I got home, dealt with some "life" matters, unpacked, repacked, and flew out the next day. (I'll skip those details.)

Two writer friends and I spent Tuesday doing research. First stop was the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. We happened to catch a press conference where Ricky Skaggs played Bill Monroe's restored mandolin before it was installed in the jewels of country music exhibit. Oh my. Vince Gill, president of the CMHF&M, was there. So was Brenda Lee and Earl Scruggs and many others. What a treat! Then it was off to RCA Studio B where so many of the hits of my childhood and teen years were recorded by stars like the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley.

The above was research for my next full length novel. It ended with my visit to the gift shop where I spent a small fortune on reference books.

The afternoon took us to the Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson. Although the visit was primarily for my friend's book set in an Antebellum home, I'm thinking my character may have visited there, too. No point wasting the experience. {{grin}}

Today began the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. For the first time, I met Dan of Cerulean Sanctum and Katy of fallible.com, two of my favorite bloggers. Talk about the tall and the short of it. (Sorry, Dan and Katy.) Dan is a very tall fellow and Katy is a tiny slip of a thing. When I introduced them to each other, I couldn't help but smile at the contrast. And their blogs are very different too, but both ones I enjoy visiting.

I have been writing, too, working away toward meeting ye old deadline. Moving forward, ever forward. Tomorrow gets hectic. In the morning, I will be leading in prayer for the writing ministries of the attendees. In the afternoon, I give a workshop on being organized in the chaos (which is really about time lines and characters and maps and research, etc.). I don't expect to squeeze out too many words on the w-i-p, but I'm hoping for a few hundred.

Now I'm thinking of turning in. If I catch a moment, I'll pop in again. Otherwise, I'll report next from Boise.

-rlh-

soil condition

How is the depth of soil in your heart? The parable in Matthew 13 tells us that some seed fell where plants sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. The plants withered. The field didn't bear the promised crop.

I was reading about the importance of maintaining the soil of my heart in Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman, updated by James Reimann, and came to this quote:

When a Roman soldier was told by his guide that if he insisted on taking a certain journey, it would probably be fatal, he answered, "It is necessary for me to go — it is not necessary for me to live." That was true depth of conviction, and only when we are likewise convicted will our lives amount to something. But a shallow life lives on its impulses, impressions, intuitions, instincts, and largely on its circumstances. Those with profound character, however, look beyond all these and move steadily ahead, seeing the future, where sorrow, seeming defeat, and failure will be reversed...

Then in my Through-the-Bible reading in Ezekiel today, I came to 28:2, [the Lord speaking], "In the pride of your heart you say, 'I am a god: I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.' But you are a mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god." In the margin I discovered this commentary note:

Pride is a sneaky thing. It can masquerade as something more acceptable-sounding, such as self-reliance, independence or self-confidence. Pride infiltrates your heart, and before you even realize it, you may be making decisions without asking God for guidance first...

These readings caused me to step back and ponder how to recognize true depth of conviction regarding the path I follow in obedience versus when it could be pride masquerading as confidence in me rather than in God. And I want to make certain I'm not in that shallow place, living on impulse, intuition, instinct, and circumstances.

Cause my roots to grow deep, Lord. Plant me in fertile soil. Hide Your word in my heart, and help me turn to You in matters both large and small. Remove any sneaky sources of pride and keep me reliant upon You and Your truth. Amen.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

books: a matter of taste

Has someone recommended a book to you with an "Oh, you've got to read this. You'll love it!"? Trusting your friend, you take the book or buy your own copy, and open it with expectation. Only to be ... disappointed.

I've read some blog entries about a particular acclaimed novel, considered literary by the PTB (meaning the powers that be — only no one knows who they are!), a winner of a major literary award (maybe multiple awards for all I know). It's in the double-digit sales ranking on Amazon.com, and the overall reader reviews have been raves. So I decided to give it a try.

Okay, the author surely knows how to write well, plenty of beautiful prose, but despite her knowledge of language, the book was a total snooze in my case. I kept putting it aside and could come up with plenty of other excuses — including listening to talk radio! — not to continue with that novel. (That's a bad sign when a novel makes a reader feel that way.) I forced myself to keep slogging through, wondering what was wrong with me that I couldn't enjoy what others considered brilliant.

Finally I had the courage to say something to another well-published author, to ask that person if she had read this particular novel and if she enjoyed it. Goodness. Turns out I'm not alone. Turns out a number of writers and readers felt the same way. I feel so much better. I am not alone.

Takes me back to this truth: No writer can please everybody.

As for my personal reading tastes, give me novels with well-developed characters who make me laugh and cry, who make me feel as if I know them and they have become my friends. Give me novels with well-devised plots that sometimes surprise me and yet always leave me satisfied and wishing there was more. Give me novels that I will stay up way past bed time to read just one more chapter. I want to be so wrapped up in the story that I don't notice the beauty of the prose because I'm too busy experiencing the story itself. My life is too short to slog through books that bore me.

Does that make me right about that particular novel and those who loved it wrong? No, it just means we all have our particular reading tastes. And that's as it should be. If we were all the same, how boring we would be. God made us different, unique. We ought to celebrate that.

---

Speaking of writing, I'm making better headway this week on my w-i-p, despite preparations for travel and speaking engagements. This weekend, I'm leading a Christian women's retreat in the Idaho mountains. Next week I'm on a research trip, followed by speaking at the ACFW conference in Nashville. Looking forward to seeing some of my blog readers there!

-rlh-

sleeping better

Yes, I am feeling better and sleeping better. Seeing the rescue of those people trapped in the Superdome, the NO Convention Center, and in lots of damaged homes throughout the hurricane ravaged area, plus seeing the pouring out of generosity by fellow Americans, did a great deal to remove the heaviness on my heart. Also going to church on Sunday and learning what the Boise Vineyard is doing (training Red Cross volunteers before they head south, planning for shelter and housing for evacuees who come to SW Idaho, raising money, and more) let me feel that there are ways for me to participate in helping those in need.

That said, I am sickened by the hatemongers who have crawled out of their holes to spew words of racism into this tragedy. I have no doubt that mistakes were made at the city, state, and federal levels, but I agree with Condoleezza Rice in response to those who try to make this about race. And the majority of Americans will never let it be about that either. They will pour out love and compassion and aid no matter their race and no matter the race of those who will receive the aid.

And because there are some who like to blame President Bush for everything, I share this with you:

Get Off His Back by Ben Stein

A few truths, for those who have ears and eyes and care to know the truth:

1.) The hurricane that hit New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama was an astonishing tragedy. The suffering and loss of life and peace of mind of the residents of those areas is acutely horrifying.

2.) George Bush did not cause the hurricane. Hurricanes have been happening for eons. George Bush did not create them or unleash this one.

3.) George Bush did not make this one worse than others. There have been far worse hurricanes than this before George Bush was born.

4.) There is no overwhelming evidence that global warming exists as a man-made phenomenon....

  Read the rest here.

-rlh-

can't sleep

The reports from FOX News kept playing through my mind as I went to bed last night. After maybe 45 minutes of tossing and turning, I drifted into a restless slumber, only to awaken less than four hours later, thoughts still churning. Fear. Depression. I recognize those nasty emotions.

I've got some hard things happening in my personal life, things that won't change quickly or easily. I haven't been able to write much over the past month because of the situation, but the last week saw no production at all. I'm wrestling with the plot and characters, and I'm wrestling with my own feelings in the midst of life's storms.

But as I said, what haunted my dreams last night were the images from the news: The picture of Geraldo Rivera holding a 10-month-old child outside the New Orleans Convention Center, tears streaking his cheeks, begging for relief; the memory of Shepard Smith's voice cracking with emotion as he spoke of the people on the freeway who don't know where to go, who keep getting passed by; the reports of rapes and murders that have happened in the Superdome and Convention Center while people waited to be rescued. It's unthinkable. Unbearable.

The New Orleans convention center was the location of the first CBA convention that I attended. That was five years ago, in the summer of 2000. It's about one mile from one end of that center to the other and several stories tall. I keep thinking of it as it was at that time, with its bright lights and air conditioning, and then imagining it as reports say it is now, overflowing with debris and human waste and the bodies of the dead. I am heartsick. How can this be? How can this be?

I want to tell the politicians of both parties to stop pointing fingers of blame. Stop thinking about the next election and how this might affect you, whether you think it might cost you an election or whether you think you can use it to your advantage. Stand up. "Be a man" (even if you're a woman). Do your job now!

I reach for a glass of cold water on my desk. I filled that glass with a turn of the tap. I unconsciously think and expect that it will always be easy to get a drink of water that's safe and clean. But harsh reality says that isn't true. It isn't for those people still in New Orleans or for thousands upon thousands of others across the storm-ravaged area.

Fear and depression. Yes, they have troubled my soul, disturbed my sleep. But I take them now to the foot of the cross, a place where I can partake of Living Waters.

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
(Psalms 46:1-3)

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until this violent storm is past.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
(Psalms 57:1-2)

O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
From the ends of the earth,
I will cry to you for help,
for my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings!
(Psalms 61:1-4)

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

peggy noonan

The September 1st column by Peggy Noonan is certainly worth reading.

After the Storm:

Katrina is a huge and historic story. The human cost, the financial cost, the rendering uninhabitable of a great and fabled American city--all of it amazing. A quick look at the good, the bad, and the let's-shoot-them-now....

-rlh-

hidden talents quiz

Time for something less serious...

Your Hidden Talent

You have the power to persuade and influence others. You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around. The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think!

What's Your Hidden Talent?

BTW, this is one easy "quiz."

more than a disaster

From the Internet Monk, some serious and disturbing thoughts on the violence and looting happening in the wake of Katrina:  What are we seeing in New Orleans?

What, at first, seemed to be yet another natural disaster story has become something altogether different. As one of my co-workers said today, it is like "all hell" has opened up in New Orleans.

Is it a trick of the cameras? Sensationalizing events in the day and age of trashy, tabloid news? Are we just hearing the garbage, and being left in the dark about the good news of human kindness?

No, I don't think so. I think every media outlet is telling a similar story. Something is happening in New Orleans that didn't happen at 9-11, that didn't happen in the aftermath of the Tsunami, and that hasn't happened in America since, perhaps, the nights following the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read the rest of his post here.

a prayer and a plea

This morning, I sent an email to subscribers on my e-newsletter list, a request to give and to pray. I thought I would share it again here:

---

Dear Friends and Readers:

I tried to send a message yesterday in addition to my regular newsletter, but I had problems with the server. Thus this message is going out a day later than hoped.

I, like many of you, have been watching the news with an aching heart over the destruction left behind by Katrina. The loss of life. The loss of property. The lack of basic needs like food and water while people wait for aid to reach them. And sadly, by a few who loot and even fire guns at those trying to help, the loss of restraint and submission to moral and legal authority.

I'm sure there are many subscribers to this reader list who cannot (and may never) receive this email due to loss of power and/or phone service -- or worse -- but for those who do receive it, I would like to encourage you to (1) pray and (2) give generously. There are many, many fine charities out there mobilizing to care for the refugees left behind by Katrina. Many will be homeless and jobless for weeks and months.

I made my first donation to the American Red Cross, but as time goes by, there will be other organizations to which I will also give. You can easily go to the Internet and find many worth supporting. The Salvation Army and the Southern Baptist Relief Fund (100% of your donation goes to the relief!) are two other sources that I recommend highly.

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Father-God, we know that trials and tribulations are a part of life in this fallen world. We are reminded of our desperate need for You. We praise You because we know You are an all powerful God who reigns over the earth, even over disastrous times such as this. We don't understand why this horrible thing happened, but we will look to You in the midst of it. Things are very desperate right now for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The troubles seem overwhelming and without answers. I ask, Lord, that You would grant us eyes of faith and hope. Help us to be Your hands and feet to those in need. Stir our hearts with compassion and spur us to action. Don't allow us to forget the poor and the homeless simply because we are removed from the effected areas. Father-God, we ask You to move in a mighty, mighty way across this land. May many see Your glory in the midst of this troubled time. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Thank you for praying and for giving. And may God bless you many times over for both.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin Lee Hatcher

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