It is my pleasure to present a guest post by Mike (I call him Michael) Dellosso, one of Christian Fiction's nice guys who, up to this point, has written Christian Horror, the term some feel is an oxymoron and the label at which CBA publishers shrink and twitch. Mike's novel Frantic reviewed here, releases today (February 7th). If you leave a comment here and Like Mike on Facebook, you will be eligible to win a copy of Frantic, a unique and compelling story with a little less of the horror niche and leaning toward thriller-esque. Some very good writing from Mike.
http://mikedellosso.wordpress.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MikeDellosso
With my full-time job in homecare physical therapy, I see patients every day who have had terrible things happen to them. Auto accidents that left them with multiple injuries and unable to walk for months; work accidents that shatter legs and destroy any hope of walking “normally” again; strokes; heart attacks; amputations; cancer; Parkinson’s that robs muscles of control and the brain of cogent thoughts. And you know what? Not one of them planned for it to happen.
Not one scheduled their accident or episode or onset of disease.
Tragedy isn’t something you plan for. Heartache isn’t scheduled on anyone’s calendar.
This gets me thinking from time to time and I have to step back and take inventory of my life, of what’s important, of what I fight and live for. Things can change in an instant. One misjudgment, one lapse in attention, one rogue cell, one determined virus. And everything changes.
It happens, really. I see it every day and deal with the consequences, both physically and emotionally. I also deal with death on an almost daily basis. The worst phone call I receive is when a nurse announces that another patient has "expired," especially if it's someone I've grown close to.
As is common for most of us, talk of illness, injury, and death spurs thoughts of life. We live once. It’s a gift given us and there’s no exchanging it or returning it. Once used it’s in the realm of history, written into the pages of eternity. The focus of life is not only the tape at the finish line, it’s how we run the race. And I want to run with no regrets.
This has been on my mind a lot lately, no regrets. I work with people every day who are at the end of life and some voice very openly the regrets they’ll carry to the grave. I can see the sorrow in the lines of their face, the cloud in their eyes. They wish their life would have turned out differently. They wish they would have loved more and hated less, listened to that advice they ignored, been more honest, paid more attention to their children.
Last year I worked with a woman who lived alone in a trailer with her elderly dog. She had no family, no friends, and, as far as she was concerned, no reason for living. After telling me all the mistakes she’d made in life she said, “I think about just ending it. All I have in the world is this trailer and my stupid dog.” I left her with tears in my eyes and a heavy lump in my throat.
There’s a Matthew West song I love called “The Motions.” Here are a few lines from the chorus:
"I don’t want to spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything
Instead of going through the motions?"
So where do we go from here, from the determination and declaration that we will make the most of what we have now and not end our life asking "What if . . .?" I think it means we have to make some changes right now.
With that in mind, here are some thoughts, in no particular order:
* Be in good standing with everyone you come in contact with; live in peace with everyone.
* Be the parent your kids need.
* Be the spouse your husband/wife deserves.
* Work hard and do your best at whatever your hands find to do.
* Never stop learning.
* Make a difference in the lives of the people you know.
* Never be ashamed of your faith and take every opportunity to talk about it, to defend it, and to encourage someone else with it.
* Be quick to apologize and quicker to forgive.
* Give people the benefit of the doubt and assume the best.
* Take risks and spend some time on limbs.
* Recognize opportunities and seize them.
* Love others as you have been loved.
* Pursue humility and live by the rule of honesty.
When I was on the track and field team in high school, I ran the 400 meter dash. At the end of the race I was spent, exhausted, and ready to vomit. I had run my best and left everything on the track. Wouldn't it be great to do the same with this race of life, leave it all on the track?
Leave a comment and Like Mike on Facebook to win a copy of Frantic by Mike Dellosso.
Father, you know Mike's desires to live like he means it, to follow you with his whole heart, to lead his family, to work hard, to do what you have for him to do. Please continue to give him stories, bless the work of his hands, watch over him and his family and keep them safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Read Scream earlier this year. Really excited for this new book! Great to see some good Christian fiction for men again!
Posted by: Ryan Killion | February 07, 2012 at 05:29 AM
Agreed, Ryan. Loved Scream - still my favorite.
Posted by: Nicole | February 07, 2012 at 06:40 AM
Excellent post, Mike.
I've enjoyed reading all your novels & FRANTIC is on the top of my to-read list. Thank you for offering a unique voice in Christian fiction.
Thanks, Nicole, for hosting Mike today.
Posted by: Brenda Anderson | February 07, 2012 at 07:13 AM
FYI - the Kindle edition of SCREAM is available for free today on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026RIGI8/ref=as_li_ss_sm_fb_us_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=liinre06-20&linkCode=shr&camp=213733&creative=399837&creativeASIN=B0026RIGI8&redirect=true
Posted by: Brenda Anderson | February 07, 2012 at 07:16 AM
Cool, Bren. Thanks for that info.
Posted by: Nicole | February 07, 2012 at 07:28 AM
looking forward to frantic
Posted by: Katrina Edwards | February 07, 2012 at 08:03 AM
It really is a good novel, Katrina.
Posted by: Nicole | February 07, 2012 at 08:06 AM
I have been waiting what feels like forever for this book to come out.
Posted by: kristina | February 07, 2012 at 08:18 AM
It's here and now's your chance to win a copy, Kristina.
Posted by: Nicole | February 07, 2012 at 08:20 AM
A lot of Biblical principles in those thoughts, Mike.
Isn't it amazing that many of our species continue to search for Principles to live life by and we miss the fact that Jesus gave them to us thousands of years ago.
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Great cover for Frantic.
Posted by: dayle | February 07, 2012 at 09:15 AM
Truth, Dayle.
Posted by: Nicole | February 07, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Those are really good thoughts, thanks.
Posted by: Noah Arsenault | February 07, 2012 at 01:29 PM
Certainly are, Noah.
Posted by: Nicole | February 07, 2012 at 01:51 PM
I want a book....
It looks amazing....
rebecaafsantos@hotmail.com
Posted by: Rebeca Dos Santos | February 09, 2012 at 03:56 AM
Liked Mike's page as soon as I discovered his book SCREAM! Would love to win FRANTIC!
Posted by: Annette Davidson | February 09, 2012 at 05:16 AM
Rebeca and Annette, you made it in under the wire. Contest ends today. Thanks for stopping by.
Posted by: Nicole | February 09, 2012 at 05:21 AM
Liked Mike Dellosso's Facebook page! Downloaded my copy of Scream today. Already have read several chapters. I have a feeling I’ll be buying all of his books eventually!
Would be nice if I were to win Frantic so I'd have a little extra cash to download all of his other titles! =)
Posted by: Tracy Levesque | February 09, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Thanks for stopping by, Tracy. Winner will be contacted by Mike today and announced here tomorrow. Thanks everyone for participating!
Posted by: Nicole | February 10, 2012 at 05:40 AM
Just finished SCREAM. I read these on my phone & am loving it. Really liked the book. Thank you for some good Christian fiction.
Posted by: Judy Menke | February 11, 2012 at 08:16 AM
Loved Scream. Thanks for stopping by, Judy.
Posted by: Nicole | February 11, 2012 at 08:49 AM