Robin Lee Hatcher's Write Thinking

feedblitz on typepad

Typepad has added some new features, one of which is the ability to sign up for FeedBlitz. All you do is enter your email address in the little sign up box over in my sidebar. For subscribers (that's you), here is how it works:

• Register with FeedBlitz
• Add the blog or web page URLs to track
• You get a simple daily digest of any changes

FeedBlitz monitors the information you care about and delivers it to your inbox. Simple. No popups - ever. No gurus required. No software to install. And because it's email, unlike typical web services, you can look at the content offline in your email software - on your laptop, phone, PDA, at the airport, wherever you can read your mail.

Multiple Feeds, One Daily Email. Each night (US East Coast) the free service checks on your feeds, figures out the changes, and sends you a single, easy to read email with all the information at your fingertips. If there are no changes, you won't get a message, so FeedBlitz won't clutter up your email system with worthless emails. Even with an online aggregator having a daily digest backup is useful, as your email software has search, sort and indexing capabilities that many aggregators simply don't.

Looks like a nice little feature. You might want to give it a try.

-rlh-

movie time

Netflix has been very good to me lately.

First, I stumbled upon the movie, The Whole Wide World (1996). I'm not quite sure how. Just some of my browsing around in Netflix. This is the story of Robert E. Howard, who wrote, among other things, Conan the Barbarian. It's a bittersweet story, starring Vincent D'Onofrio and Rene Zellweger. I recommended it to author Angie Hunt. She rented it immediately and then beat me to posting about it. I like her review so much, I'll let you read her comments instead of writing my own:

The movie is the true story of pulp writer Robert E. Howard, who was at his peak in the mid 1930's. The story is not a romance, though it feels like one at first, and the ending is not happy. It's one of those "acceptance" endings, where the main character doesn't get what she wants, but accepts the way things turn out.

As I always do with "true" movies, I was Googling Howard even before the final credits rolled and found out that he was an even bigger success than the movie implied. His books are still in print, he's hailed as a master, and he didn't write past age thirty! You've probably heard of one of his most famous characters: Conan the Barbarian.

Writers have a reputation for weirdness, but this guy was really eccentric. I'd have said he was bi-polar or something, but apparently a psychiatrist friend of the family said he was as mentally sound as anyone else . . . just eccentric. Really.

In any case, if you enjoy stories about writers, this is an interesting tale. But keep the tissues handy.

Next, I rented a movie that Angie Hunt recommended to me. Tit-for-tat, right? Ushpizin (2005) is a film from Israel with English subtitles. I sometimes struggle with watching movies where I must read the bottom of the screen because I feel like I often miss some of the important action (facial expressions, etc.) that add to a movie. But this held my interest from start to finish. It is a beautiful story of devotion to God, answered prayers, and living ones faith. I highly recommend it.

Finally, I watched a 2001 two-DVD TV series from A&E called Victoria & Albert. I don't think I've ever been disappointed in an A&E movie. I am a huge fan of British costume dramas, and I love both Regency and Victorian settings. This particular mini-series tells the love story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. This isn't terribly deep, but it's good.

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Speaking of movies, have you decided what movie — instead of DaVinci Code — that you will go see on the weekend of May 19-21? I'm still trying to decide. I may even try to see two movies, just to cast a stronger vote to Hollywood.

-rlh-

preliminary cover art

Every author I know awaits the first glimpse of their book covers with the proverbial bated breath. I've had my share of disappointments. One of my old romance covers was just plain embarrassing. But out of 50+ books, I'd say I've had way more wonderful covers than bad ones.

This week, I got first looks at not just one book cover but two, and I'm delighted with both of them. Remember, these aren't final but there's a good chance they won't change much.

February 2007 brings Trouble in Paradise (Steeple Hill). The artist captured the look of central Idaho, the mountains, the valley, the blue of the sky. I like this a lot.

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Two months later, April 2007, Sweet Dreams Drive, the fourth book in the Hart's Crossing Series (Revell), will arrive on shelves. This story is about parents of twins. I think this is perfect.

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Zondervan is currently at work on the cover art for my July 2007 release. I can hardly wait. Stay tuned. I'll share when I can.

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I know many readers think authors have a lot of say about their covers. Not true. We give input and share ideas, but ultimately, marketing and art directors have the final say. It's nice when the author is happy, too.

-rlh-

farewell kellie

Well, I was not surprised by tonight's AI results show. I would have placed Kellie and Paris in the bottom two and I would have sent Kellie home. Nice to know America agrees with me. (Doesn't happen as often as I would like.)

Kellie is cute as a bug and she can sing. But boy oh boy, she was not destined to become the next American Idol. A little more practice, a little more maturing, a little more polish, she might enjoy singing success. This just wasn't the time and place.

Certainly no one who watched this season will forget the "minx" comment or the "salmon" comment or the "load off my chest" comment (complete with Rod Stewart not knowing what to say or where to look). And what other contestant has apologized when a judge says something harsh about his/her performance? Oh goodness. Idol will be a little boring without her.

-rlh-

time for love

It was love songs night on American Idol. I had fun "live blogging" last week's show, so I'm going for a repeat.

Not only was tonight for love songs, but they were love songs coached by Andrea Bocelli. What must that have been like for these young folks, to be in the same room with this great artist? I can't even imagine it.

Katharine sang I Have Nothing. The judges were tougher on her than I was. Sure it was a big song. Sure, Whitney Houston made it a hit when she was in her top form. And yes, Katharine didn't live up to the original. Still, I didn't think she did such a bad job with it.

Elliott sang A Song for You. Wow! Randy called it "the bomb." He (Elliott) brought Paula to tears. Simon called parts of it a "vocal master class." Since I have always been an Elliott fan, it is easy for me to agree. But even if not a fan, I would say this was marvelous.

Kellie sang Unchained Melody. I was not impressed. She was right. She blew it for a second week in a row. Simon called it boring and the never-ending song. Tough words but an apt description.

Paris sang The Way We Were. Hmm. Taking on Streisand seems as dangerous as taking on Houston. Doesn't it? But she did a good job. I wasn't blown away with the performance, but this girl can sing. No doubt about it.

Taylor sang Just Once. The producer David (sorry, forgot his last name) said Taylor had the most charisma of the contestants. However, this was not his best performance. Got off to a very shaky start and never quite hit his stride. Too bad. I really like this guy.

Chris sang Ever Really Loved a Woman. (Is that the right title?) Great performance. This guy should forget being a rocker and really become a singer. When he doesn't shout into a mic, he is terrific.

I remember Randy predicted at the start of this season (maybe when they whittled them down to 24, although I can't be sure) that this would be a year when a guy won. I don't know. It is three and three. However, tonight definitely belonged to the guys, particularly Elliott and Chris.

That's my take on it. Of course, I could be wrong.

-rlh-

troubles of my heart

In the devotional for the Sweet Simplicity study, I was told this morning to "identify one specific weed of worry, illusion or desire that you feel may be strangling fruitfulness in your kingdom walk right now." There is a specific worry in my life that came quickly to mind. It is worry over a loved one who is making destructive choices, choices that impact me emotionally and have brought me grief. I cannot control or change those choices, but I can turn my loved one and my worry over to Christ. I can learn the lessons that God wants me to learn in the midst of it all.

After completing the devotional, I opened Streams in the Desert and read this entry (I've bolded the portion I highlighted in my copy of Streams):

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.  (Matthew 27:61)

Oh, how slow grief is to come to understanding! Grief is ignorant and does not even care to learn. When the grieving women “were sitting there opposite the tomb,” did they see the triumph of the next two thousand years? Did they see anything except that Christ as gone?

The Christ you and I know today came from their loss. Countless mourning hearts have since seen resurrection in the midst of their grief, and yet these sorrowing women  watched at the beginning of this result and saw nothing. What they regarded as the end  of life was actually the preparation for coronation, for Christ remained silent that He might live again with tenfold power.

They did not see it. They mourned, wept, went away, and then came again to the sepulcher, driven by their broken hearts. And still it was only a tomb —unprophetic, voiceless, and drab.

It is the same with us. Each of us sits “opposite the tomb” in our own garden and initially says, “This tragedy is irreparable. I see no benefit in it and will take no comfort in it.” And yet right in the midst of our deepest and worst adversities, our Christ is often just lying there, waiting to be resurrected.

Our Savior is where our death seems to be. At the end of our hope, we find the brightest beginning of fulfillment. Where darkness seems the deepest, the most radiant light is set to emerge. And once the experience is complete, we find our garden is not disfigured by the tomb.

Our joys are made better when sorrow is in the midst of them. And our sorrows become bright through the joys God has planted around them. At first the flowers of the garden may not appear to be our favorites, but we will learn that they are the flowers of the heart. The flowers planted at the grave deep within the Christian heart are love, hope, faith, joy, and peace.

It isn't always easy to accept that joy is made better with sorrow in the midst. Yet I know, in the deepest part of my soul, that this is true.

Next I opened my Bible to the Psalms and began to pray the first one my eyes fell upon. It was Psalm 25. And as I prayed, three verses became my heart's cry in regard to my worry over my loved one:

He will instruct [me] in the ways [I] should choose. (vs. 12b)
Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. (vs. 17)
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you. (vs. 21)

Amen.

God is so faithful. He is always near.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

seeking the simplified life

The sermon series on sweet simplicity began yesterday.

Pastor Tri spoke about the things that are supposed to make life easier but often don't — like email. It's so true. As much as I love email with my readers, writer friends, agent, and editors, there is so much more mail beyond those. Even with robust spam filters, the mail that enters my box is staggering to wade through.

The congregation was challenged to begin working on the external complications in their lives, to do some real spring cleaning, to stop buying new things that we think we want/need but then sit on shelves unused, weed through, give away, have a yard sale, throw out. This resonated with me because I have had this desire to pare down my possessions for the past couple of years. I've had a little success this year, going through my walk-in closet. But there is so much more in every room of the house. My library, in particular, overwhelms me to think about. If I were to move, that room alone would kill me. The sheer number of books I own (fiction and research books) would set up a nice little library in a small town.

Another specific recommendation Tri made that I thought was good is this: Whatever money a person earns from a "sweet simplicity" garage/yard sale cannot be spent to buy more stuff. It must be used for debt reduction, either to pay off your own debt or to help someone else do the same. Because, of course, debt is another trap that keeps us from living the simplified life.

The pastor reminded us that our lives didn't get complicated overnight and we can't uncomplicate them overnight either. So true, and if I think I can do it quickly, I get so overwhelmed I am paralyzed and do nothing.

I don't know about you, but I work better with a plan. So here is mine: My first step is to clean out one drawer or one shelf each week. I can do more if I choose, but I will do at least one. With the exception of a few of my fancy "ballgowns" that I wear to the occasional glitzy award ceremony, if I haven't used something within the last two years, I'm getting rid of it.

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I'm just about finished with entering all the detailed editing I did on my WIP hard copy. Now I have to knuckle down and write the rest of the book (about a third to go). My calendar is fairly clear this week. A few afternoon appointments, but nothing in the mornings which is my optimal writing time anyway.

And so here I go, off to make good use of that optimal writing time. Wishing all of you the start to a productive week as well.

-rlh-

read this rant

Barbara at Church of the Masses has some good things to say in this rant about DaVinci Code. And at the end, she reminds people to go see another movie on May 19. She suggests the family friendly Over the Hedge.

-rlh-

AI does the standards

Wow! What can I say? 21st Century song week was poor pretty much all around. Country song week was mostly a bust. Queen week was okay. But tonight, using the standards (from Rod Stewart's Great American Songbook albums; there are four volumes so far), was really great.

Chris sang "What a Wonderful World." So much better than the shouting into the mic that he has done too much of in recent weeks. How nice to see and hear that he can really sing.

Paris sang "These Foolish Things." Blew me away. Awesome! The best of the night, I thought.

Taylor sang "You Send Me." I loved it. He can sing. He has spark. And I like the look he's acquired over the past few weeks.

Elliott sang "It Had to Be You." This song suited his voice and style. I loved it. Simon said personality could cost him tonight. I hope not. This guy is good and deserves to go further in the competition.

Kellie sang "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered." Okay, this was not good. It sounded even worse because the previous four performers were so outstanding. I'll be surprised if this doesn't guarantee her a spot in the bottom three.

Ace sang "That's All." What was with that hair?!!! Fire the stylist! Sorry. Back to the singing: Simon called it "Charming," and I would agree. Not the best vocal of the night but enjoyable.

Katharine sang "Someone to Watch Over Me." It was lovely. I just wish there'd been a little more longing in her performance. This song begs to be laced with longing.

I know it is smart marketing for these pros to make an appearance on American Idol. It's part of pitching their CDs. Still, I didn't rush out to buy anything from Kenny Rogers or Queen. But Rod Stewart is getting some dollars from me via iTunes after tonight.

Okay, off to make a few calls.

-rlh-

Sonador means Dreamer

As my regular readers know, I'm a fan of Netflix. Besides seeing about twelve movies per month at the price of renting four locally, I've saved money because I'm not buying as many DVDs as before. However, every so often there are movies that I simply must own.

Dreamer is one of those movies.

I watched Dreamer shortly after it was released on DVD. I watched it twice before returning to Netflix. The next day I went and bought my own copy. In about a two week period, I've watched it four times already. Or maybe five.

Now granted, I'm a horse lover. I used to raise and show horses. I still own some of my "horse" books from when I was in elementary school. The pages are brittle and yellow, but I hang onto them. But there is more to love about this movie than just the horse, a filly named Sonador (which means "dreamer"). The acting is top-notch, and the characterization is real. There are several twists and turns; just as you think this family will get a break, something else happens.

"Remember dreams?" the wife asks her husband.

And that is really what the movie is about. Chasing your dreams, even if you might fail.

I give Dreamer 5 stars out of 5. Treat yourself to this feel good movie soon.

-rlh-

words, words, words

Here's a few interesting tidbits that I picked up from Merriam-Webster:

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Kerfuffle:

Kerfuffle earned a place of honor as one of the Top 100 most-looked-up words last month on the Merriam-Webster web site. Why?

At a public event on March 20, President Bush answered a question from an audience member by allowing that his domestic surveillance program "had created quite a kerfuffle in the press"; the Associated Press report of the speech commented on the fact kerfuffle is not "an everyday word."

Kerfuffle was also featured in a number of news reports describing the reaction last month to Scientologist Isaac Hayes' quitting the Comedy Central hit South Park in response to what he termed its "inappropriate ridicule" of religion.

So what's the story behind the word kerfuffle? Spelled with a "k," it shares a birth year in English with the president (1946), and, at least until recently, it has been considered chiefly British. Kerfuffle is an alteration of the Scottish word carfuffle, which dates to the early 19th century as a noun and means "ruffle; agitation; disorder; flurry." As a verb it is much older, dating to the 17th century and means "to disorder; to disarrange; to ruffle." Carfuffle has Scottish ancestors in car (from a Scottish Gaelic word meaning "wrong, awkward") plus the verb fuffle, meaning "to become disheveled."

It is understandable that there were those who were surprised to hear the word coming from President Bush, as we still hear the word most often in British contexts. Here, for instance, is Hugh Grant's recounting of the first time he met Julia Roberts, as reported in the June 1999 issue of Vanity Fair:

"I was a very, very unemployed, pathetic actor at the time," Grant recalls. "I remember being so intimidated by the fact that she was in the room that I got myself in a sort of kerfuffle . . . and missed the chair when I sat down."

That's a kerfuffle.

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Merriam-Webster editors are giving the following words serious consideration for entry in a Merriam-Webster dictionary:

*  google transitive verb, often capitalized [Google, trademark for a search engine] : to use the Google search engine to obtain information about (as a person) on the World Wide Web

*  monkey pox noun : a rare virus disease especially of central and western Africa that is caused by a poxvirus, occurs chiefly in wild rodents and primates, and when transmitted to humans resembles smallpox but is milder

*  ponzu noun [Japanese ponsu, ponzu juice squeezed from sour oranges, from Dutch pons, literally punch, from English punch] : tangy sauce made from citrus juice, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce and used especially on seafood

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Okay, let's all try to use those four words (kerfuffle, google, monkey pox, and ponzu) in conversations today. The second will be a piece of cake, but I'm in a bit of a kerfuffle over the others.

-rlh-

film writing?

Hat tip to Cindy at Notes in the Key of Life for steering me toward this quiz.

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

The first line isn't quite accurate. I don't so much see scenes like a movie in my mind. I feel them in my gut. Characterization and dialogue are two of my strengths, and the joy of storytelling is why I write. I was a storyteller/entertainer from early childhood. And it would please me to see one of my novels up on the big screen.

-rlh-

simply sweet

Having completed the 90 Day Bible Reading challenge and then the seven-event Journey of the Cross, my church (Vineyard Boise) is now beginning a new teaching series.

As soon as I saw yesterday's bulletin with the article title "Sweet Simplicity: In Pursuit of a Simplified Life" and the accompanying daily devotionals for this week, my heart quickened. It quickened because I have felt for many months the need and desire to pare-down and get rid of and simplify my life. I've accomplished some but not enough. The goal for me is to discard or give away everything that makes me groan when I think of one day moving from this larger home into something smaller. Just my library is enough to make me want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head. The garage brings thoughts of suicide! I don't want to be tied to things. Another area for correction has been to stop over-obligating myself. I have been better about this and have stream-lined my calendar a great deal, but there is more to be accomplished.

Here is a snippet from the bulletin article on this teaching series:

In this series on the simplified life we will examine how we can transform our thinking and our habits so the world does not dictate how we conduct our lives. This will allow us to experience His “good and pleasing and perfect will…” In order to do this we will consider seven areas necessary for transformation so the simplified life can be achieved.

1. A life of simplicity requires less physical complexity. (Less clutter, less debt, less busyness.)

2. A life of simplicity requires less internal complexity. (Less woundedness, less emotional baggage, less bondage. A complex person is often self absorbed and has difficulty achieving the simplified life.)

3. A life of simplicity requires the practice of the spiritual disciplines. (We will focus especially on the disciplines of solitude, prayer and community.)

4. A life of simplicity requires vision and strategic planning. (Our lives didn’t become complex and out of control in one day, and they won’t become simplified without a long term plan and a decision to change.)

5. A life of simplicity is a life that uses less from a culture that demands more. (The Bible challenges us to learn to down-size so that our level of peace and contentment might up-size.)

6. A life of simplicity leaves a small foot print but a larger hand print. (Our foot print is the negative impact we leave based on the resources we use and the waste we produce. Our hand print is the imprint of God’s blessing and the impact we have on others’ lives. The least is the greatest in the Kingdom of God.)

7. A life of simplicity calls for preparedness. (A peaceful mind comes in part from not letting an uncertain world dictate our fears and anxieties because we have become spiritually, emotionally and physically ready for whatever may come our way.)

And a bit further down:

Again let me emphasize that a life of simplicity is a life spent on things that count. It is a life that is rendered down to the things that truly have meaning. In a similar way Jesus spoke of the vine and the branches in John 15. He tells us that if our lives are to bear fruit that will last, two things must occur. First, we must abide in the Father so our true nourishment comes directly from God. Second, we must be pruned back for greater fruitfulness. Jesus exhorts us to pause, and like Solomon, evaluate our lives with “clear eyes”.  We are encouraged to look at our branches and ask the Lord which ones should be pruned so we might bear more quality fruit.

This new season will challenge us to remove the clutter from our lives so we can experience greater freedom. It will challenge us to tackle debt loads, emotional overloads, rethink our schedules and examine our long range plans for life. I know it will be a stretching experience – but for those of us who have the courage to participate, I believe God will bless us and enable us to achieve a more “simplified life”.

God has called me into a ministry of writing, but I believe there is more He wants me to do as part of my local body of Christ and as part of my local community. And for that, I need to be free of some of the tangles that have inched their way, unnoticed at first, into my life. Some of these things are even good things, but they are not necessarily what God would have me continue to do.

And so I look forward to learning some practical applications for pursuing a more simplified life. To me, it sounds sweet indeed.

-rlh-

He is risen!

He is risen, indeed!

This has been such a wonderful Easter morn. I'm reminded that on this fallen earth, we see a mere shadow of what God has awaiting those who trust in Christ. All that is good and sweet and precious to us here will be perfected in the eternity that awaits us in the New Earth, one free from sin and death and pain and addictions and hate and sickness and loss.

At the sunrise service, we put redemption cards in a box on top of a bonfire. On those redemption cards, we'd written those things we are asking God to remove from our lives. The fire was lit and up it all went in smoke. My card included things I wanted forgiveness for, things I wanted to overcome, things I hoped to see come true in the coming year.

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If you noticed my absence from blogging for the past five days, it was due to some health issues, which ended with me being on some meds that knocked me cold. No blogging when one sleeps for hours. I am feeling considerably better, and the tests the doctor did showed nothing serious. I'm asking God for that to remain the case as I am now a few more days behind where I should be with my work.

And the health stuff reminds me again of how fallen things are here on earth, and I look forward to the perfected resurrected body that will be mine in eternity.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

another tuesday AI report

Okay, I won't wait for someone to ask what I thought about tonight's show. {{grin}}

It was a better night than the last two Tuesdays, although it was far from the greatest Idol hour I've seen. My votes went to Elliott, Katharine, and Taylor. Elliott was my favorite vocal. Taylor was the most fun to watch. (No, Simon. He did not look drunk.) Katharine had some pitchy moments, but pulled it off.

Confession: I absolutely adore the movie, A Knight's Tale. A few years ago, about ten writers gathered in a family room to watch it, and we were belting out the song "We Will Rock You" at the top of our lungs. So when Ace sang that tonight, I was grinning like crazy. Not because I thought he did such a great job, but because I could hear and see my friends in my memories. If I wasn't on the exercise bike at the time, I would have been up dancing.

No prognosticating on who will be in the bottom three tomorrow. I am just not sure how other viewers will respond to the song choices and performances tonight. I'll just have to tune in like the rest of you.

-rlh-

something to say?

Carrie K. said: "Just wanted to ask - no post about Mandisa leaving AI? I thought for sure you'd have something to say."

I blog. Therefore, I must have something to say.

Weeks ago, I was convinced Mandisa would be among the final four. But 21st Century week and Country week did her in. Poor song choices, I believe.

For 21st Century week, she chose a praise song. The sad thing is, I understand why she wanted to sing something that expressed her Christian faith. But the song did nothing to showcase her voice, and even as a believer, I wasn't stirred by it. Simon called the performance/song choice "self-indulgent." Well, maybe so. I believe there are other songs of faith that could have been performed without seeming self-indulgent. Maybe. Maybe not.

Country week was worse. I am a fan of country music and have a couple of Shania Twain's CDs. I think Mandisa, as Paula said once, could sing the phone book. But Mandisa coupled with "Any Man of Mine" didn't work. Added to the performance the week before, I was not surprised to see her go home.

Come right down to it, I wouldn't have been surprised no matter who went home. The last two weeks were dismal. I'm hoping for a better show tonight. Songs of Queen? Hmm.

-rlh-

spring has sprung

Boise usually enjoys an early spring. And given we are high desert country, we don't generally see days and days of rain. But this has been a long, long winter and a wet, wet March and April. It's felt as if the cold and clouds would never leave. However, we've enjoyed a bit of sun between rain storms and the grass has decided to grow. So this morning I fired up the lawn mower for the first time, stuck the ear buds into my ears, turned on the iPod, and cut the grass while singing along with Patsy Cline (I was in a classic western mood).

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Yesterday's Palm Sunday service at the Vineyard was unbelievably moving. Nicodemus was there to tell us about Jesus' three years of teaching and his confusion over the instruction that he needed to be born again. Then dancers and singers announced the arrival of Jesus, and in he rode on a large donkey. (The man  portraying Jesus is from India, a handsome fellow with long wavy black hair and beard and dark skin.) He went up onto the stage where he fell to his knees and cried out, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.  And now look, your house is left to you, empty and desolate.  For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” And on that, the service was over. There was such a hush in the sanctuary, I am at a loss for words to describe it.

Palm Sunday is the first step on the Vineyard's Journey to the Cross. Thursday will be the Passover Sedar. Friday, the church gathers at the Old Idaho Penitentiary where we observe the trial before Pilate and then climb the hill to "Calvary" (Table Rock that overlooks Boise) where the cross is raised as the sun sets behind it. On Saturday, the church will show the movie The Passion of the Christ. Then comes the Easter sunrise service at the empty tomb (on the Vineyard campus grounds), followed by a fellowship breakfast, and then the Celebration of the Risen Christ.

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On the writing front, I am behind, behind, behind. Ack! It seemed all I could do today was rewrite and edit and rewrite and edit and rewrite ... Argh! I'd rather not talk about it.

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I felt kind of at lost ends after completing the 90 Day Bible reading. Did any of you feel that way too? But soon I will begin another reading of the New Testament. In the meantime, I am working on the memorization of Romans 12. Oh, and I'm listening to the audiobook of Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Awesome! If you haven't read this book (I've talked about it in this blog before), don't miss it.

Wishing you a blessed Holy Week,
Robin

 

 

screwtape tells wormwood about the davinci code

This parody by Eric Metaxas and posted on Church of the Masses will mean more, perhaps, to those who have read and enjoyed C.S. Lewis's wonderful The Screwtape Letters. However, with The DaVinci Code movie reaching theaters in a little over a month and the novel continuing to sell in record numbers, I think everyone will enjoy reading this letter from Screwtape to his subordinate Wormwood regarding same.

-rlh-

perseverance R us

I'm blogging about Perseverance over on Charis Connections today. Drop on by and leave a comment.

-rlh-

A.I. rant

If you are not a regular viewer of American Idol, you can skip this post. For the rest of you addicts ... er ... fans, read on.

My rant is not about the contestants — although I wasn't enamored by tonight's country performances. No, I want to register a complaint about the behavior of "the regulars."

1) Ryan, your constant insults tossed at Simon aren't cute or funny. If you two are truly enemies, leave the show. If not, try acting like an adult instead of a spoiled child. Oh, and Simon is right. Lose the beard you had tonight. It is not a good look on you.

2) Paula, I know you are the cheerleader, that you subscribe to Thumper's mother's advice ("If you can't say something nice..."), but could you please stop interrupting Simon after you've said they were cute or true to themselves or that you love them? You had your say. Let him have his. Even if he is gruff, even if he insults, even if he is wrong, zip your lip.

3) Simon, you are the most honest judge on the show, and I agree with you at least 90% of the time. I'm sorry the audience boos you so much. Of course, I think you could soften the way you deliver the truth. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Speak the truth in love"? I think you could be "brutally" honest in a kinder way.

4) Randy, yo dawg. You're escaping my rant. Unless you would like to come up with a few new lines to become part of American lexicon. We've just about memorized the things you say to the contestants week after week.

Okay, done ranting. See you next Tuesday.

-rlh-

how's your prayer life?

I spent yesterday afternoon with Daughter #1. Her daughter (Granddaughter #1) is trying out for cheerleader next week. So I took my camcorder down to the junior high school to record the current cheerleaders doing the cheer and the dance that the "contestants" will perform in their try-outs. When we were driving home from the school, our meandering conversation caused me to ask her (in response to something else said) if I talked to my daughters too little (we usually talk on the phone a couple of times a week). Am I so busy with my career and the details of my life that I am too absent from hers and her sister's (and their families) lives? I'm happy to say her answer was, No.

But later, I was thinking the same question about my Abba-Father, my God and my King. Do I talk to Him too little? I fear that if asked, both He and I would have to answer, Yes.

Here's something AW Tozer had to say about prayer:

One swallow does not make a spring nor one hot day a summer; nor will a few minutes of frantic praying before service bring out the tender buds or make the flowers to appear on the earth. The field must be soaked in sunshine over a long period before it will give forth its treasures. The Christian's heart must be soaked in prayer before the true spiritual fruits begin to grow. 
— The Root of the Righteous, pgs 121-122

Talk about convicted! I'm a firm believer in praying without ceasing, and I know God wants me to run to Him with things both large and small, both trials and joys. And I do that. But I seem to go through periods in my life where I forget the joy of meditating on God, of spending long periods in His presence, of soaking my heart in prayer so that true spiritual fruits begin to grow.

Oh, Father-God. I am dust, indeed. I'm a cracked pot. What I want to do, I too often do not do, and what I don't want to do, I too often do. Thanks for Your mercy and grace. Please change me. Please remind me to step into and bask in Your presence, and help me to be obedient. Amen.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin

silver linings

A few weeks ago, an acquaintance called to ask me some business questions. In the course of our discussion, she learned a little more about me and what has happened/is happening in my life. She expressed surprise, saying something like, "I thought you were someone with no problems." I laughed! It was either that or cry.

Streams in the Desert had a wonderful, meaningful entry on April 2 that spoke to my heart:

You should get into the habit of looking for the silver lining of storm clouds. And once you have found it, continue to focus on it rather than the dark gray of the center. Do not yield to discouragement no matter how severely stressed or surrounded by problems you may be. A discouraged soul is in a helpless state, being neither able to “stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11) himself nor able to prevail in prayer for others. Flee every symptom of the deadly foe of discouragement as you would run from a snake. Never be slow to turn your back on it, unless you desire to eat the dust of bitter defeat.

Search for specific promises of God, saying aloud of each one, “This promise is  mine .” Then if you still experience feelings of doubt and discouragement, pour your heart out to God, asking Him to rebuke the Adversary who is so mercilessly harassing you.

The very instant you wholeheartedly turn away from every symptom of discouragement and lack of trust, the blessed Holy Spirit will reawaken your faith and breathe God’s divine strength into your soul. Initially you may be unaware that this is happening, but as you determine to uncompromisingly  shun  every attack of even the tendency toward doubt and depression, you will quickly see the powers of darkness being turned back.

Oh, if only our eyes could see the mighty armies of strength and power that are always behind our turning away from the hosts of darkness toward God, there would be no attention given to the efforts of our cunning Foe to distress, depress, or discourage us! All the miraculous attributes of the Godhead are marshaled on the side of even the weakest believer who, in the name of Christ and in simple, childlike trust, yields himself to God and turns to Him for help and guidance.

On the heels of reading the above, while I was trying to find a silver lining in a specific situation and while I was wondering what specific promises I should speak aloud, I received the Purpose Driven Life Devotional that included the following:

There is nothing too big for God to handle. (Matthew 19:26)

There is nothing too bad for him to forgive. (1 John 1:9)

The forces that threaten to steal your life and your future are puny compared to his awesome power. (Romans 8:38-39)

He could change your fortunes in a day if he wanted to. (Daniel 2:21)

If he doesn’t, there’s a good reason why. (Proverbs 16:9)

He not only loves you, he is delighted with you despite all your dysfunctions, and revels in every moment you spend with him. (Song of Solomon 2:10-13)

He knows your sorrow. He remembers that you are dust, and collects all your tears in a bottle. (Psalm 103:14; Psalm 56:8)

He will give you strength and courage for whatever you may yet have to go through. (Romans 8:31)

Someday, from your mansion in heaven, you will look back on this day and smile, because you will realize that your light and momentary troubles were achieving for you an eternal glory that far outweighs them all in comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Are you discouraged? Look for that silver lining. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Trust God. There are streams to be found in the desert, and Christ is the source of the living waters.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin