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Friday, February 26, 2010

Have you heard? RUSH is the word!

Lynn Rush signed her first contract. . .(She signed with an agent too!)
Look at this adorable pic of her signing her first contract.
For more information check out her website - click here.




Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Word Wednesday

WORD WEDNESDAY. A day to post words about the Word.
What are you reading this week?

I have been urged to study about God's love for me. Think that would be a no-brainer after He sent His Son to die for me, that I might have everlasting life in His lands. . .

Alas, it is not. Whether it is my nature to feel that I am unlovable, or I have been nurtured to think that I am unlovable, that is my burden. Thus my quest is to learn to accept love, fight hard to see love and let myself give love without obligation.


My quest starts with the word of God. My pop culture sends me images to the opposite.
This week this verse stood out to me.

PSALM 33:15-18
NO KING IS SAVED BY THE SIZE OF HIS ARMY








NO WARRIOR ESCAPES BY HIS GREAT STRENGTH








A HORSE IS A VAIN HOPE FOR DELIVERANCE








DESPITE ALL ITS GREAT STRENGTH, IT CANNOT SAVE








BUT THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM










ON THOSE WHOSE HOPE IS IN HIS UNFAILING LOVE.







Please credit Flikr and Photobucket for the images

Monday, February 22, 2010

THE YEAR OF THE WARRIOR by LARS WALKER


I stumbled across THE YEAR OF THE WARRIOR by LARS WALKER on the following blog: CHRISTIAN SCIENCE FICTION Brandon Barr's post regarding THE YEAR OF THE WARRIOR is here.

I was pleased when I followed the directions on that post, and I emailed the author for the book (which is out of print). Lars Walker promptly sent me an autographed copy.

This was an emotional read for me. The world is hard core and realistic. But the days of the Vikings were hard core; were they not? The characters are rich. They are flawed heroes struggling to live in cold world.

The main character, Aillil, is ripped from his family and home in Ireland and forced into slavery. The slave owners can ask a greater price for a priest than any other slave, so they give Aillil a catholic priest makeover and sell him to the highest bidder.

The Norway conqueror, Erling (A Christian), snags the preist at auction and sails to his home to bring God to his people. Aillil pretends to be a priest. Erling works to convert his people to Christianity by any means -- even the sword. The two men go through the greatest, most difficult but realistic "baptism by fire" that I have ever read.

This book is not a bon bon and Bach read. It is soulful to the point of darkness, but the farther down you go, the greater the highs, right?

Some of the lines in this book will stick with me for a lifetime. They aid me in my spiritual journey:

Why the good and the bad seem to prosper:
"Does that make {God} your enemy? Does God give pleasant lives to His friends and pain to His enemies? I haven't seen that to be true."

Sacrifice:
"They will sacrifice even their children before they will sacrifice themselves."
(sounds much like abortion today, eh? Frightening.)

Regarding heaven:
". . .the Beloved lives outside Time itself. He goes back and forth in it when He wills. And when we go to be with Him, we too will be outside of Time."

There are plenty more lines I will take with me. Those unanswerable questions that will forever go unanswered -- and be filled with Faith; and if not Faith, with Hope; and if not Faith or Hope; Love.

If you are looking for a hauntingly real Christian Fantasy tale, pick up THE YEAR OF THE WARRIOR by Lars Walker.

Purchase used here.
Or email the author and purchase from him: lars@larswalker.com

Thursday, February 18, 2010

PHANTASMAGORICAL FREEK FRIDAY

Phantasmagorical Freek Friday is all about musicians, groups, and songs glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. PFF was designed to showcase metal/goth/alternative/hard rock artists who give Jesus Christ glory.

I have a special place in my heart for southern rock. Bands like BTO, Lynard Skynard, Eagles, and of course some of those '80's hair bands (I love them hee hee)
So when I heard the title of Disciple's new album: Southern Hospitality. I had to check it out.

You know, there is a list floating around, a list of the top 10 Hard Rock Christian bands. Disciple is on it, and boy do they deserve to be there. I have only heard a few of their songs, to be truthful, but you have to check out today's song.

Southern Hospitality has an edge. It flows over a soul filled drum beat and under anthem lyrics that remind us to rejoice in the life the Lord gave us. I looked up the lyrics and each line is born from/or referenced to a bible verse. LYRICS

Sunday, February 14, 2010

MOVIE MONDAY BATTLESTAR GALACTICA


BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
2004

Okay, I am taking online courses and have not been to the theater recently. I hope to see Avatar before it leaves the big screen. . .

Anyway, Netflix sent Battlestar Galactica, the miniseries that launched the 2004 TV series, this weekend.

mmmmMM.

Wonder why the alien robot created by humans always has to be a sexy blonde female hangin all over the villain. Why?

Why does the strong female always have to act like a guy, fight like a guy, and look like a guy? Just asking.

Well, one saving grace -- The one that made me stick with it and watch it all the way through -- Edward James Olmos. Love this guy. And, his portrayal of Commander Adama just endeared me to him all the more.

Commander Adama lost a son. His other son blames him for the brothers death. As the human race is on the brink of extinction, Commander Adama must take charge of the entire human future. EJO, as always, is believable and a genius. Loved this character.

I do have to warn about the idol worship in this story. They pray to the "gods of Kobol", a very new age type of worship. I didn't enjoy that at all. . .

I don’t have words to describe the soundtrack -- Lots of brilliant drums accompanying the space battles. I wonder if I can find it and buy it.

I did like the plot, and, of course, loved the sci fi cinematography.

I don't know that I will rent any more of this series. I think I have spent all the time I need to on the Battlestar Galactica.

Have you seen this? What do you think?

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Purple Moons and the Hero's Kiss


What will you be doing this Sunday? Valentine's Day.

LET THEM EAT CAKE!
Each year some girls and I get together at the Cheesecake Factory. Some years we swap gifts. This year we won't. Boyfriends or not, we hang for an hour or two and eat cake!

Oh, and tell me, what is your favorite on screen kiss?

Here is one of mine:

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Word Wednesday

Word Wednesday. A day to post words about the Word.



I remember a long time ago when I first began searching for God, I would run to wise council and mentors and say, “_____ just happened. What am I to do?” And “I don’t know what to do about _____ in my life. I am so scared.”

Most of the time the wise ones and mentors would tell me, “It’s going to be all right. Just keep praying. Keep your faith.” It would drive me crazy, but I’d go home and pray and work on my faith.

Many years later, as I now run to God in prayer and say, “_____ just happened. What am I to do?” And “I don’t know what to do about _____ in my life. I am so scared.”
Well, sometimes His answer and direction hits like a light bulb in a dusty, dark basement, but most of the time I hear God say, “It’s going to be all right. Just keep praying. Keep your faith.”

I was discussing this earlier tonight in my small group. It reminded me of
Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

And I guess what sticks out in these verses is not the Be Still part. Tonight what sticks out to me is
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.

See, when I run ragged and shout “What am I to do?” and “Where should I go?”
In prayer and in council, the focus is on me. This verse does not say, “Be still and know that I am God – know that I will make KM’s every wish come true.” And it doesn’t say “Be still, KM’s ship is just around the corner, about to come in and deliver all your needs, and healing.” It says, He will be exalted. He has a plan, and the plan is about Him.

I guess if I went through all the things I think I want – Jesus Exalted – is the best thing for Him, for the nations, for the earth and for KM.
So tonight I am peacefully still. I wait and watch, for He will be exalted in all the nations, and all the earth and in me. I see that as a promise.

What are you reading this week?

Monday, February 8, 2010

All things Medieval

So my WIP is High World Fantasy. I am trying to research many different things.

Like is it mail or maille? And should my main character have the nickname J.R.?

I find google can find answers for either side of a debate. I am not even sure I am using the term "High World Fantasy" correctly.

What are you researching for your WIP? Do you use the internet? Google? Or the reliable library?

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

OKAY, THE REAL NEWS


Yesterday I signed my first contract. I don't know if I can spill the details, so I am just saying, a magazine will be printing my vampire short story in a couple of months!

I am so stoked!






PS Pray for my 92 year old Grandad. He is blessed with a great family and a great Faith. He is at peace. We don't know how long he has.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

A story is born



Its been an awesome, overwhelming response of support that I have received regarding finishing my first full novel. The edits for the first 15 pages have begun, the toil is heating up to clean it up for Genesis, ACFW's annual contest.

I've been thinking as I finish this, where to go from here. I mean, my idea for the post apocolyptic science fiction story REMNANTS is "half a novel", so I thought about finishing it. Then a new story entered my life this weekend. I felt like a baby was born. LOL

A new story is so thrilling, is it not? I wonder, how do you choose what new tale to start? A dream? A thousand stories bouncing around in your mind that you don't much have to think of a new one as much as choose one from your story file in your head?

I only have a couple stories surfing through my mind at a time. One of my short stories came from a dream. One idea bloomed as I listened to a SKILLET song (I think they need to make it their video LOL) And this last/first novel COBRA CUTLASS began with a challenge over at BRANDON BARR'S BLOG, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE FICTION.


So tell me. How are your stories born?