Into the Fire

Tuesday Tunes

       

With special thanks to Liz (on Twitter) who reminded me what a great voice and some terrific songs Lou Rawls made. This is just one of them keeping to the love theme. Enjoy!

 

Father, thank you for the beauty of music. It often reaches the soul. And may each one who makes music realize from whom they get their talents and gifts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Welcome Words

         

"Seeing… is a well written novel with emotional and spiritual depth that goes beyond mere sentiment when it comes to 'second chances'.”  BB

"This story, set in Washington state, has it all: the supernatural, the romance, the sexual angst, the tension, and frustration that we all experience in our journey called life." GN

"Nicole outdid herself on this one! I cried, laughed, and was captivated, not only by the storyline but with Nicole's ability to portray the character of Jesus Christ." LD 

"Recently, I experienced a deep loss and struggled with similar emotions. . . . This book is a 'must read.' Highly recommend it." MR

 

Father, thank you for each one who reads the stories you give me. May I always point those stories in your direction. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Sunday's Offerings

 

On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

     I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I saw the seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man", dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

     When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

     Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven gold lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 

 

Revelation 1:10-20 (NIV)

     

When someone "gets" it . . .

       

It might surprise you to know that there are readers of Christian Fiction who can be some tough reviewers of the novels they choose to read. Brutal in fact. They've been known to give 1-star reviews to those stories where the author apparently doesn't support their legalistic theology or got a little too passionate in a scene or a thought in a romance novel (although never graphic), or the use of "hell" or "damn" was used in a circumstance (causing big meltdowns), or even if the book was longer than they liked (but they finished it - or didn't). Some of them are a tough crowd to please. I should note these particular readers are not the audience for my novels. 

So when a reader acknowledges certain things about a novel that they loved, it makes an author's day. 

"I appreciate the honest reality of the temptations many Christians experience and struggle with. This is a beautiful story of love, temptation, forgiveness and redemption!" HR

"If you love Christian romance, you will love this book!
Starting with the mystery of their meeting, it details how each character goes from God's forgiveness, to the forgiving of others, and ultimately, the forgiving of themselves." CN

"The message of God’s love and mercies are included in such a unique way that all readers, regardless of their religious leanings, can read how kind and merciful God is." LD 

Those who enjoy my work know they will be seeing the reality of the world as it is and experience the redemption Jesus offers. 

A truly sincere thank you to all who've read and appreciated my work. 

 

Father, thank you to you is never enough. Never was, will be, or is. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Throwback Thursday

 

Way back in the day . . . This old photograph has been in faraway places. Lots of scratches and color changes as a result. 

 

Father, you looked after me even before I knew your Son. You rescued me from myself. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Excerpt . . . again.

 

From my latest WIP . . . This protagonist is a bestselling novelist, having migrated away from his former location and lifestyle in the middle of the hub of his publishing world.

 

Chapter 10

 

I hustled back to my house and into the room I’d dedicated for my gym. I jerked off my shirt and went to the treadmill. Warming up at a brisk walk, I did my best not to contemplate my behavior, but it was no use. As I turned up the speed to a jogging pace, I realized this attraction was more than casual lust for me. That terrified me. Because I had no idea why or how I was supposed to act realizing that this woman I barely knew was wrecking my concentration, inspiring a new novel in the middle of another one I had to finish first! Things couldn’t have been more chaotic in my mind as I increased the speed to a run.

     Completely sapped, I shut down the treadmill without looking at all the read-outs, dripping sweat. Grabbing the towel I kept nearby I wiped off most of it and walked over to my weights.

     I did every lift I could handle, put the last of my weights back on their rack, and walked over to the portable fridge to grab some electrolyte water, chugging the entire 16 ounces. I kept one straight back chair in the large room and I plopped down on it with the empty container still in my hand while I stared at the bamboo flooring.

     Something was up with me – something I didn’t recognize. Unfamiliar, and for sure nerve wracking. I honestly felt like change was sneaking up on me, and I had no idea why or what it was supposed to look like, be about, or what it intended for me. Change was not a good thing in my world unless I determined I wanted it, unless it was my idea. And this? This was like being tied to the proverbial train track with six locomotives roaring toward me from a distance.

 

Father, again and again I thank you for every inspiration, character, words, all of it. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.