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Way back at Sun Lakes State Park with my BFF's family. Some of the best times of my youth.
Father, thank you for my best friend, our times together, our laughs and joys, horses and boys, fun in the sun. Being able to be a kid. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Have you ever felt isolated? Alone? Insignificant? Tiny as a nano-speck in the big picture?
Have you ever considered that these feelings can be both true and false?
Isolation can be a factor in our lives no matter how much people traffic there is. Isolation is a state of mind that makes us feel like no one "gets" us, or no one can seem to recognize how we feel, or that we can't understand why we seem to be singular in our approach to whatever it is that brings us to the conclusion that we're isolated.
Alone? It's not hard to imagine that sometimes we're going to feel alone. The difference between isolation and feeling alone is slim, but actually being alone means either we've chosen to be without people in our lives - whether temporarily or for a season - or there's a reason for being without others that we initiated - or they did.
Insignificant? It would be unusual if we never felt insignificant just because there are so many reasons in this world that can make us feel that way. The key phrase there is "in this world."
"A nano-speck in the big picture?" Imagining the heavens, the stars, planets, moons, etcetera, who are we? How can we possibly matter in this universe?
All of the above "feelings" are indicative of our humanity. The human condition. In and of ourselves, we can experience them all. The only true validation to who we are is from our Creator. He created us for a purpose. That "thing" that seems to matter to us more than others? We like it, we're good at it, or we become good at it, and we enjoy it in spite of sometimes thinking we're only so good at it. We are beings of flesh and blood with a unique spirit that must be redeemed. Apart from God, we can do nothing. He gives us life and for "X" amount of time, we can choose to live our lives with or without Him. However, since Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me," without Him, we shall remain all of those things listed above. The truth is in Jesus, we're never alone or isolated from Him. He gives us the Holy Spirit who dwells within us as believers. No longer isolated, alone, insignificant, and we do matter in the big picture because God's purpose for us is what makes our lives important. Is it fun and laughter from that point of acceptance onward? No, not always. Suffice it to say, now our actions have meaning both in this world and in the supernatural. But with the power of the Holy Spirit, we are equipped for the good and the great that God has planned for us.
No matter how much money, fame, comfort, family, friends, and good associates we acquire in this life of ours, without Jesus, we're hell-bound. And if that's the case, none of this life will matter. Eternity waits.
That's where I wandered this Wednesday.
Father, you rescued me from myself and this world. Thank you will never be enough, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Granite & Gloss by LR Strong is Book 1 in the Rescuers Series.
Before I review this story, let me say this: There is "Christian" Fiction and then there is Christian Fiction. Some Christian novels touch on what it means to be a Christian. The characters "offer up a prayer," attend church, and basically the story is conveniently labeled "clean" whatever-the-genre-is. L.R. Strong's story is equivalent to the evangelical gospel told in novel form. Some readers - Christian and non - would label it "preachy." But really it's a story of life and death circumstances which produce the necessary reliance on God Almighty to intervene in a miraculous way.
Sculptor and painter, lovely Tarina "Gloss" is on her way to meet a California billionaire (Douglas McCavent) under the pretense of him commissioning her for a sculpture. She has no idea of his true intention. Jake Granite works for a private firm investigating elusive criminals of which this man is a major one. Tarina is an accomplished artist trying to build her name. Jake is a successful and tough investigator whose one mistake cost him too much. Inside he's raging and broken, damaged and hurting. On the outside: smooth and determined. When he sees what's going down on an assignment to finally get McCavent, he interferes to find a confused and scared Tarina in the back of a car driven by one of McCavent's muscle.
Thus begins the story of Jake and Tarina, Jake quickly adopting the role of bodyguard and Tarina catching on that she's going to need one. They're spirited away to a private plane where they're not told anything other than they're headed to a party. When a very young girl is called to bring McCavent a drink, Jake sizes up the ugly picture.
From the moment of first trauma to the last, Tarina's faith and spirituality is brought to the forefront while Jake's jaded view of God challenges her repeatedly. He assumes the typical argument among unbelievers that if this God is good, why is there so much evil and cruelty in the world? That IS the question, isn't it? Tarina persists in her prayers for him and their encountered situations where God's obvious answers are clearly demonstrated.
The Gospel is laid out in this book as Jake relents on his hard-hearted approach and begins to question Tarina. They've confided their darkest secrets to each other over the days they've spent together. As much as Jake fights it, her faith is beginning to impact him. She's confessed a couple of her visions to him without his disputing them. He's added significant knowledge to her condition of synesthesia, something only he now knows about her. Although so many things are unclear to both of them regarding their situation, they've managed many triumphs and witnessed some real miracles.
If you're a reader who longs to hear the beautiful (and true) account of The Gospel detailed in story form, Granite & Gloss is the book for you.
Pay close attention to the "Author's Notes" before the story begins.
Father, you give gifts and talents in abundance. Thank you for giving LR so many! Please continue to bless her in every way and particularly in the stories you have given just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Romeo's Fire by James Scott Bell is Book 9 in A Mike Romeo Thriller Series.
Mike Romeo is one of my all-time favorite characters, uniquely written with amazing intelligence and incomparable wit. Romeo's history is fascinating and you get bits and pieces of it throughout the series. In this book his friend and employer, Attorney Ira Rosen, has taken on a young man (Coby) who's accused of murdering a homeless man called "Zon" when the action Coby took was clearly self-defense. Zon was a friend of his who shared a tent with Coby, but Zon went crazy on some kind of drug high, screaming, "Lucifer's coming!"
Ira hires Romeo to investigate the crimes his clients are accused of, and this one leads to a rehab facility for street people, a shelter with rules and encouragement to accept Christ to help them through their various addictions and problems. The man who runs it (Rev. Tatum Walker) deeply cares for the patrons of his facility, but he's well aware that not all of the men who come will choose to stay. Ira negotiates in court for Coby's presence at the facility, and all's well until Coby disappears.
All hell breaks loose and surrounds the case as Romeo sets out to discover where Coby's gone. Things get crazier when the Reverend is attacked and Romeo is thought to be involved.
Through all of this, Romeo is in a state of emotional turmoil over the feelings he has for his girlfriend Sophie. His life is a roller coaster of events that seem to always erupt in violent circumstances causing him to wonder how any woman would want to spend her life with someone like him.
There's a molten lava that fires up beneath the surface of Mike Romeo at times, creating an inferno of rage that can shed the bindings of control. It happens when someone pokes at the wrong thing in his life and ignites the fire in his soul.
As usual with a James Scott Bell novel, the dialogue is sensational, the characters sharply drawn, the drama often surreal, a significant dash of violent encounters to spice things up, and just a terrific series created by its author. If you enjoy very well-written stories with truly unique characters that capture you in their adventures, squabbles, intensity, and pondering the often confusing seasons and events in life, believe me when I say this one's for you. Truly a great and entertaining series.
Father, please continue to bless James with more stories using the incredible talent you've given him. Encourage him as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
My first year on the track. This horse's name was Ferncrofter. He was in the barn next door to the one where I worked.
Father, you waited to rescue me until I was emptied out of myself. I will never be able to thank you enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Living on the edge much? What puts you "on edge?" Most of us can identify those things which up the blood pressure and put us on edge. From reading a thriller novel to watching your favorite team coming from behind in the final minute of a game - will they win or will they lose? - to seeing an accident to paying the bills or having an inexplicable argument . . . what puts you on edge?
So many possibilities can grab us from a regular or "normal" day and send us to that place of anxiety. Unexpected or anticipated? We can feel the tension rise.
How do you handle it? What's your solution?
I only have one: prayer. I have nothing better to offer. The Lord of all creation, the friend that sticks closer than a brother, the Savior of the world: Jesus is my answer, my hope and help, my solution. Does prayer make everything resolve itself instantly? Sometimes, yes. Other times, no, but in those times, there is still a comforting notion that "this thing" can be resolved. It might take more time than we want to admit but be assured the Lord is there for you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
If you have yet to surrender your heart and mind to the Savior, now would be a good time.
Thank you is never enough, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Where in the desert are you? Is it familiar? Is it comfortable? Is it leading you away from where you need to go - or toward it?
How did you get there? Was it a scheduled trip or an accidental wrong turn?
How long will you stay?
Is it all in your mind - or under your feet?
Is it a necessary venture or a dreaded encampment?
Will you make a break or ride it out?
You'll know when you know and not before . . .
Father, I've been there, and you rescued me. More than once, but the first time made the next times make sense. Thank you for always watching out for me. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Ahhh, high school-my school. Senior picture. Seems like a lifetime ago.
Thank you, Lord God, for waiting patiently for me to find out how destructive life is without you. Thank you for rescuing me from myself. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Escapists
I saw you in my mind and wanted to know you.
You wandered toward me, and your smile captured me.
Wouldn't turn me loose.
Would you stay? Beyond the smile, the hello? That first kiss?
Your eyes - golden brown like the color of autumn,
outlined in dark lashes.
I couldn't escape.
I didn't want to.
Would love wrap around us like a silken tether
or would we snap the binding like a weak thread?
Would we dare to weave our own tale?
Or would we forfeit the adventure indulging in fear of loss?
Every now and then, I do the free verse thing. Hope you enjoyed this one.
Father, thank you for writing and words. Love playing with them. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
So. Here we are again. It's Monday. I've got so many things on my heart as I'm sure you must have too. Some I'd rather not say and others I'd prefer to shout from the housetops. However, we shall move on.
As those of you who know this blog well, you've seen that I do reviews. (See the long list on the bottom left column.) However, I don't review the novels I've read that I don't like. I used to review them, but I came to the conclusion that who really cares if I give a bad review to a book that someone loves. And there are always those 1-star reviews for novels I've loved which only serve to irritate me. Let me tell you something you already know: 1-star reviews say more about the writers of those reviews than they do about the book. Instead of writing something to the effect of "This story was not written for readers like me," or choosing not to write one at all, they trash not only the story and the way it was told, but they invariably insult the author's ability to write.
Sometimes with the novels I really enjoy, it's hard to write the reviews. Because I want to share so much of the story, it proves difficult to limit what I include. When I "highly recommend" a book or a series, you can trust I want you to read it/them.
Novelists are incredible writers. There are all kinds - some will appeal, some will not. It doesn't change the fact that through the eons of time, people have been writing stories that move others to exclaim their greatness. We readers (and writers) all have our favorites. And we love talking "novels" with our peers.
If you have a favorite, feel free to expound on why you loved it.
Father, thank you for allowing me to write novels. You put it in my heart at an early age, waited patiently for me to recognize the purpose, and then have allowed me to write. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Hard Duty by JB Turner is Book 13 in A Jon Reznick Thriller Series.
Jon's thinking about heading for Florida from his home in Maine when he receives a message from the CIA's Fran Petersen. What he learns from her is the description of an off-the-books mission to neutralize a former high-ranked CIA man who's become a traitor to America providing highly classified documentations of operatives in foreign countries and the operations of the CIA around the globe to the Russians for significant money and deep protection. The hardest part is the requirement that he can only use two other people for the op with a timeline of one week. In spite of how ridiculous and impossible it sounds, knowing things like this with a savvy opponent takes weeks and lots of operatives to pull off successfully, he knows the two guys he needs to make this at best possible.
Trevelle Williams, his intel and IT genius, is first on the list. After finding him still in mourning for his murdered girlfriend, Jon apologizes for asking him if he's available to help him. However, Trevelle figures it's what he needs to do, and he's in. The next man is the wild Scottish former operator Mac McCafferty who can't believe the audacity of the plan but decides he's in.
Finding the traitor is a major trial once they end up in the Middle East, and once they find him, he seems to disappear. Jon blasts Trevelle with the trouble this is causing, and Trevelle can't believe what's responsible for the problems. Finally, Trevelle masters the various interferences and manages some intricate ways to better gauge where the man is and what his plans are. The added strain is his security, none other than several of the vicious Wagner mercenaries.
Mac and Reznick come up with a plan - and nothing is easy - and it falls apart at the last minute due to unforeseen collateral damage to civilians. Their mission is to neutralize the one man - and if his security ends up dead in the process, that's acceptable.
Their frustrations mount and the brainstorming accelerates. When time and location are at a critical point, the two of them decide to do one last plan after Trevelle sets up the only thing he can suggest.
JB Turner has made Jon Reznick a unique and fascinating character whose patriotism is a no-holds-barred loyalty to this country he's defended as a former Delta operator, with the CIA black-ops, and as an FBI employee/consultant. There are no rules for Jon Reznick when on a mission. "Failure is not an option." Hard Duty has a slew of thrilling moments toward the end of this chaotic, unsettling op. No doubt that readers will experience those "No way!" moments or a rising heartbeat reading them.
I highly recommend this series because JB has made Jon a bit different as the thriller hero. He's hardened, he eats Dexedrine like candy at times to up his game, but there's that part of him that will sacrifice everything for those he loves and the country he honors. Warning for some readers: there is considerable profanity at times.
Father, you know JB and all that he needs and does. Please continue to bless him with the stories you have just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
More self-portraits with my Konica 35mm from eastern Washington a very long time ago.
Father, I can never thank you enough for rescuing me. Jesus, thank you is never enough. Holy Spirit, apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Last Dog Out by Candace Irving is Book 4 in A Military Veteran/K-9 Suspense Series.
In Last Dog Out Candace Irving created her usual multi-faceted, complex mystery/suspense/thriller. Her heroine Katie Holland, "Kate," is now an official Special Investigator appointed by the governor for high profile cases with special attention to those involving the military/veterans. Ruger, her devoted and talented German Shepherd, is also her official K-9 partner.
When a man is found in a ditch by the side of the road with ugly injuries and a particular tattoo, it's learned he's one Jared Williams, only to discover that's not who he is at all. Needless to say, when Kate inquires about who the man truly is, using her NCIS contact, she begins to figure out this entire murder is not as it seems.
A unique and well-known CAD (Combat Assault Dog) "Baka" is given to the parents of his handler (Paxton) when their son is killed in action. The Malinois is depressed and mourning the loss and spends almost all of his time in the bedroom where their son's scent remains. When Paxton's father dies suddenly, his mom continues to do her best with Baka but one day discovers upon returning home from her weekly grocery shopping that Baka's been stolen.
That's when all the puzzle pieces begin to connect but are still scattered and in disarray.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Candace has done her research to be able to portray the parts of this story that are truly heart-rending. This is a genuine tear-jerker in places due to the underlying subject matter of dog-fighting. It's educational for those who've never given it much thought or perhaps assumed because it's illegal that the problem is solved which it is NOT.
*****Review Resumes*****
The suspects continue to amplify but clarification comes via an unexpected visitor to Kate's place. When she and her deputy friend Seth get closer to their solutions, people are turning up dead in a hurry.
There are several twists and definitely unexpected turns in the story as the hunt for the initial murderer ties into all the rest of the mystery surrounding that first death and the theft of Baka. Each page brings intrigue and finally the evasive final piece to the massive puzzle. Ruger is sensational in his new job and amazes Kate with a final grandstanding effort.
Toward the end of all of this, Kate receives some shocking news.
Some of the worst of humanity is portrayed accurately in this story and is a reminder of the depraved psyches of some who engage in the worst of behaviors and activities to gain wealth and power.
In spite of considerable tears on my part, this is a 5-star novel for Candace Irving's fourth book in the series.
(Profanity present.)
Father, you know all hearts and minds. You define good and evil. May you bless Candace and her family and continue to provide what she needs to tell the stories you have just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*A postscript to this story and its review. These are hard times for many people. I'm positive because of the degraded state of our Union, charities have taken financial hits. However, if you're a dog lover and you have a little extra to contribute to aid those who seek to destroy this terribly cruel "sport," here are two very hard-working organizations doing their best to combat and rescue dogs from these evil places: