A path to a clean spirit

He is Risen!

2010-04-04T06:07:00.002-07:00

The Resurrection

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"

She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"

Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."

Jesus said to her, "Mary."

She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"—and that he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."

Jesus Appears to Thomas

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. JOHN 20:1-31

Good Friday

2010-04-02T04:54:00.002-07:00

Judas Hangs Himself

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.

“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Jesus Before Pilate

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.

Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”

But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”

Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

The Burial of Jesus

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. MATTHEW 27:1-66

MAUNDY THURSDAY

2010-04-01T20:48:00.002-07:00

Enjoy a message from the greatest book ever published:

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."

For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.

"Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."

Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish."

Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"

Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

JOHN 13:1-38

Writing Prompt: Parents watch in horror as a magacians trick goes horribly wrong at their childs birthday party

2010-03-07T10:09:00.003-07:00

THE MAGACIANS TRICK

I remember that spring morning like it was yesterday, it was my son’s tenth birthday.

I arranged the folding chairs one next to another in my backyard. A cardinal in a nearby tree chirped. A multitude of fiery balloons were placed throughout the area, and a maroon colored Happy Birthday banner swayed in the breeze behind me.

From inside the house I heard “I don’t wanna you can’t make me”

My wife’s raised voice responded “You will do as I say young man.”

The kitchen door swung open and my son Sam walked out. His hands were stuffed in his pants pockets. His blond hair flowed past his shoulders he wore a white jacket with a blazing rose on the pocket, his pants and shoes matched the jacket.

He stopped and pleaded with me “Dad, do I hafta do this?”

“Do as your mother says.”

He rolled his eyes and shoved his hands back in his pockets and walked away. I began to hear laughter from within the house.

I said, “Your guests are arriving, go inside and greet them.”

He sighed and reluctantly walked back towards the house. Before he could enter a group of children came towards him at a hurried pace with looks of excitement on their faces.

My wife came from within the house. “The magician is here Barney, get the children seated for the show.”

I walked towards the herd of munchkins but before I could say anything a whistle sounded and all the children looked towards the noise. A man entered the grounds he wore a top hat, and was dressed in black from head to toe he pushed a tall rectangular shaped box.

A loud cheer went out as the children excitedly ran towards the magician.

He looked around and said “Hello Boys and Girls my name is Bernardo the great, now tell me where is the birthday boy?”

The children turned and pointed to our son, his face glowed while he looked at the ground. Bernardo smiled then spent the next twenty minutes performing dreadful tricks you would learn from any cheesy magic book.

Then he came to his finale, he took the large crimson rectangle box and turned it towards the children. There was a curtain in the front he opened it to show that it was empty and tapped on the inside and outside to show that it was intact.

He looked to the children they all had looks of wonder on their faces “You can see children this appears to be an ordinary box but I assure you it is not. Now I would like a volunteer from the audience.”

Several hands went up but he looked to my son.

“Why don’t you come help me?”

With uncertainty my little Sam walked up the steps towards the box and Bernardo motioned for him to enter the box, when he did the magician closed the curtain.
The magician opened up a small metal box that was off to the side and pulled out a sword with a long blade.

My wife said “Please, don’t do it”

I took her arm “Don’t worry he won’t be harmed.”

With the point of the blade he pierced the side of the box. I saw it come out the other end, and from inside I heard a groan. A river of blood began to trickle out from under the curtain. The children began to scream.
He pulled the cord and the curtain opened. I looked on in horror the blade pierced his chest. My wife screamed and fell to the ground as I ran towards him the magician disappeared.

The cardinal screeched and flew from the tree. I looked around and all the children were gone. I stood alone in my backyard, my clothes covered in blood and my son’s lifeless body on the ground next to me.

The court transcripts state my wife came home and informed me she was leaving me for another man and taking our son. They found her body along with her lovers in our bedroom and it was determined that I killed our son in a fit of rage, but I swear a magician’s trick went horribly wrong.

I am serving three life sentences concurrently at the State Penitentiary.

Life goes on

2010-03-04T18:17:00.003-07:00

So after I posted the comment below I thought maybe I could give you a little more insight into what has been going on with my life. In January I had laser surgery on my neck as I have had back pain for thirty years and when I turned forty it really got bad. In 2004 I had my neck fused by the C-4 and C-5 and for awhile that helped but two years later it worsened again and I began to get cortisone shots and I did physical therapy. That went fine up until May of 2009 when nothing helped and I went on meds to control the pain, well to say the least I didn't like the way it made me feel so I opted for the laser surgery.

The surgery was a success and I had to rest for two weeks with no work so I went hard into my novel and everything was going really well, (or at least I thought it was) after eight chapters or over one hundred pages I realized what I was writing was not in my outline, so I took a look at the whole thing and saw that really from the start it was wrong. I had spent almost six months rewriting the first chapter always wanting it to sound better and read better but I found myself rewriting way to much so I decided to just let it go and move forward. Now I realize that it is not correct and the way the story reads is all wrong, I have spent hours just staring at the monitor and I have no idea where to go with it. Now understand that I work 8-5 and have a wife so I don't have much time as it is to really write so I try to find the time when I can, but really from the last week of January up to this point I have nothing so I have set it aside and may go back to it at a later time.

I have sat and tried to write other things but right now my mind is a blank. I did receive the Dragon ages PC Game for Christmas and have since loaded that on my computer and I am now devoting my time to the game, but I hope in time to go back to writing I really do want to write something I am just in a bad place right now writing wise and have since put the pen down. I still try to come up with ideas but so far nothing has come to me.

As I said once I can, I will post the last writing prompt I did which I submitted to writer’s digest it wasn't accepted but that is okay at least I submitted it. Also in January I submitted a short piece to the Chicken Soup publishers and I am still waiting to hear if they want that piece. So in the meantime the posts might become fewer or I will just write about what is going on in my life. Hey come to think about it that is writing isn't it?

Writers Block

2010-03-04T04:51:00.002-07:00

I have had major writers block for almost two month's now. I can't seem to find anything to write about, I got stuck in my novel where I am not sure where to go with it or if I will even finish it now. The story actually took a turn I wasn't expecting, and I didn't have it in my outline to go this way so I am not sure what to do with it, and when I read it back it doesn't even sound good anymore. I have tried to write some prompts but come up with nothing, and now I am at a point where I am wondering if I will even continue to try and write. I have heard other writers reach this point as well and fight through it but I am just not as confindent right now that I can.

Last month I wrote and sent in a writing prompt for Writers digest that wasn't selected and I will post it here in a couple of days, but after that I am just not sure what or if I will post more stories.

Valentines Day Prompt

2010-02-14T14:35:00.003-07:00

Love at first sight

We met late in life.

I was thirty-seven she was thirty-five our first date was at Denny’s. I arrived early and was nervous not sure how it was going to go. I had been on several other blind dates that went horrible and was sure this would be the same. We decided to meet at a restaurant for which I believe was the same reason, if it didn’t go well we could just make a quick get away after the meal.

Ten minutes after I arrived she walked through the door I stood and said “Sandy?”

She smiled and said “Yes”

Her onyx colored hair flowed just past the nape of her neck I immediately noticed her hazel eyes and her sweet smile and I thought to myself this is going to be good.
We took a booth and over the next hour got to know each other, and the more we talked the more I realized that she was just who I had been looking for. We left the restaurant and went to a bar and had a couple of drinks before we called it a day. We went on two more dates after that and then we began seeing each other exclusively.

I had never been happier in all my life we had so much in common it was like God brought us together at just the right moment. We dated for one year before I got on one knee and said “I want to spend the good days the bad days the happy days and the sad days with you. Will you marry me?”

To this day I still don’t know why she said yes, I don’t deserve her; she is the best thing that ever happened to me.

We have been through good and bad days along with happy and sad the last fifteen years but I wouldn’t want to spend them with anyone but her.

I knew the moment I saw her at the restaurant we would spend the rest of our lives together it truly was love at first sight.

New Prompt- BLINK

2010-01-28T12:40:00.003-07:00

The eastern sky glowed when I left my home. A mourning doves whistle sounded in the distance when I found myself on the outskirts of the desert. It was so cold out I could see my breath, I hugged myself to stay warm and it was then that I realized I was in my pajamas and barefoot.

As I began to walk I noticed in the distance a shape slowly come into view it appeared to alternate between solid and translucent, finally I could make out the features of a woman. I blinked, she was still there, and I blinked again she did not disappear.

She began to move gracefully towards me, it was as though she floated through the air the wind blew through her long blonde hair the strands flowed in the breeze. As she neared the first thing I noticed were her deep blue eyes and her ruby lips, her sweet smile was so wide, a bright glow grew out from her image I could not take my eyes from her.

An urge came over me to run and embrace her it was too strong to resist I moved forward at an excited pace. Her smile intensified and her outstretched arms begged me to approach. I grew anxious, I felt as though my breathing would stop I extended my arms out to touch her. As I came upon her she closed her eyes and her soft supple lips readied to kiss me, but just as I was about to give myself to her she opened her eyes with a look of horror on her face. Her mouth opened wide as though she screamed yet no sound came out, and then her body began to shake violently in mid air her arms at her side fingers pointing to the ground. I looked on in horror as her skin began to drop from her body like ice from an iceberg, as the patches fell I began to see veins and muscles then her eyeballs flew out of her head towards me. I looked to the ground and saw strips of dead skin float in a pool of blood at her feet. I watched as her body fell limp to the ground. Then a skeleton lay before me.

I turned to run from the site in horror but I couldn't move. I looked down and noticed I was sinking into the earth, and the harder I tried to move the faster I sank. I tried to scream but couldn’t, then the mud began to approach my mouth I tilted my head up knowing the end was near and my last thoughts were that my life could not end like this.

Then I was in darkness. Confused, I blinked, I looked to my right and saw my dresser drawers, on the walls were family photos, and next to me my wife was sound asleep and I realized I was back in my home in my bedroom, I blinked again.

AS I WALK OUTSIDE AFTER A HEAVEY RAIN

2010-01-18T16:37:00.002-07:00

A clap of thunder announced its arrival. With enthusiasm I walked toward my patio door and opened the drapes. The usual cloudless sky was replaced with ominous clouds. The horizon became brown, and white specs swirled in the air off in the distance I smiled as I finally would be able to witness an Arizona rainstorm and a monsoon no less.

I remember fondly when I was eight years old how I spent my youth in Wisconsin playing in the fields during a summer rainstorm. The smell of rain filled the air and the aroma of wild flowers and fresh cut wet grass surrounded me. I often spent time in the cornfields playing army in the rain. I would imagine the enemy surrounded me while I slithered on my stomach with my imaginary gun across my arms and I slowly made my way through the rows of corn and through the mud and broken stalks that littered the ground.

Once I would get home my mother would nearly have a heart attack as she looked at my dirty rain soaked clothes. With dried mud on my face I gave her my puppy eyes which never worked. She grabbed my arm and threw me into the bathroom. She ripped all my filthy clothes from my body and washed off the dirt and mud then took a large towel that enveloped me and began to dry me off. She would then put new clothes on me and throw me back out into the elements.

She would shout "this time stay out of trouble!" I never understood what she meant by that?

Another loud boom brought me back to the current storm, and I waited in anticipation for it to end. When the brown sky was replaced by aquamarine and the sun made its reappearance I walked outside after the heavy rain. Just before I slid open the door I thought back to the wonderful memories of the smells after a rain in my youth and I took a deep breath in as I stepped out. The aromas of a chemical factory and two large dairy farms that are adjacent to our subdivision filled my senses and I quickly covered my nose and ran back into the house.

I decided it is better to enjoy the Arizona summer after a rainstorm safe in my home.

Writing Prompt

2010-01-13T18:10:00.003-07:00

I have received requests to see some of my work from family and friends so I will begin to post some writing prompts here for your enjoyment. If you are wondering what a writing prompt is, it is a word or a sentence that is given,and you need to write a short story about the word or sentence. It can be anywhere from one paragrph but no longer than a page.If you like what you see and would like to be able to read new ones when posted begin following my blog. I will attempt to post a new one each week. Also if you have any comments positive or negative feel free to post them here or send me a note on facebook.

My first prompt is: I looked out my window.

I walked to the front room and looked out my window; the sun was on its final descent for the day and the clouds floated by lazily. I noticed the many different formations in the sky, some were marshmallow shape, others looked like wisps of smoke, and off in the southwest a large mass of clouds that appeared to stretch for miles clung to the San Tan Mountains on their western journey. The setting sun had given the bottom of the formation the appearance it was ablaze.

I opened the window, happy that the days were cooling off and I could let natures welcomed sounds in. As I opened the window the multitude of birds that rested in my two trees were singing their songs. I sat on my glider chair and enjoyed the view of the setting sun and what passes for mountains here in the southwest, though in reality they are nothing more than dormant volcanoes. Every time I gaze at them I can’t help but think about the ancient Pompeii’s and Mt. Vesuvius and hope that never happens here.

Then the off in the distance I hear the roar of engines, they are not too loud at first but they soon close in and I realize it is the obnoxious and ever present local ATV riders. As they neared, the noise became so loud that I had to close the window, and then the birds that had been enjoying the day in my trees took off from their perch. I watched the intruders as they approached the Cul-De-Sac that I live next to and began to drive in circles revving their engines. I never could understand the enjoyment they get of driving in circles like that when the desert is a mere twenty yards away and they could drive as fast as they like out in the open. Yet they continue to drive in a circle for hours going nowhere but making life miserable for the homeowners.

Dejected I close the drapes, and turn towards the living room to sit and watch TV, isolated from the joyous sounds of nature and to miss another refreshing cool Arizona evening.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T07:51:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year one and all, I hope 2010 finds you all healthy.

It has been sometime since I have updated my blog, and I thought I would let you know how my writing is progressing.

First off let me say my Christmas was wonderful, we were blessed to have my parents stay over we attended Christmas Eve Service together, and then the next day shared a wonderful meal my wife prepared, and exchanged gifts. I got much more than I deserved, but it was a blessing to share it with my loved ones. The day after Christmas my wife and I met up with her Cousin, and her husband, we enjoyed dinner with them, and together we went to see Mannheim Steamrollers Christmas show. If you have never seen this group I would recommend that if you get a chance, go and see them. Even though their leader Chip Davis was not there they still did a magnificent job.

My resolution for the New Year is to begin to submit pieces of work for consideration in publications, and my first attempts will be with the Chicken Soup books. I am working on two pieces to submit and I hope to send them in the first quarter of 2010. One piece is about our two cats and the other is an inspirational piece, or at least I hope that someone may find inspiration in it.

Once I submit those I plan to continue to work on my novel. Also I will work on a fictional short story where I will show how my antagonist became so evil. I found as I wrote the history of him that I may have an interesting story here and have decided to see if I can put together a storyline, and submit this piece once ready as well. I still need to find a home for this work, I am aware of one site called Baines Universe that this may work in, but I will have to research other sites as well. If you have any sites you would think this piece would fit by all means please respond with the site address or publication name. As I said above it will be a fictional piece of work in a fantasy setting, so the site and or publication must accept this type of work.

I understand that we as writers will submit many pieces that will be rejected and I am not under the illusion that these will be accepted, but I will not know unless I submit my work, and that will be my intention this year. However I do know that the more I write the better my craft will become so I will continue to write and submit my work.

I will also continue to submit pieces to my writers group for critique’s and hope that they will give me honest feedback. I did submit the first two piece’s for the Chicken Soup books but unfortunately I did not get much feedback from them, so I am not sure of what they felt but hopefully that more of them will be willing to give me honest feedback on future pieces.

Well, that is all for now I thank you for taking the time to read this and any comments are always appreciated.

Once again Happy New Year one and all!

2009-11-08T17:18:00.001-07:00

Hello

If you have been following my blog you can see it has mostly a religious theme, but if you look at my profile it shows that I am an aspiring fantasy writer. God is a very important part of my life and I do feel that he guides my every step, however going forward I will begin to switch back and forth on my posts sometimes they will have a religious theme to them and other times it will be about my writing process and where I am at in that process.

To date I have written a couple of short stories though they aren’t good enough yet to submit, and I continue to work on them in hopes to one day submit them to a magazine. Also I have written a rough draft of a novel that is 175,000 words and I am in the process of editing it down to 90-100,000 words. That is not an easy task, and actually I have changed the storyline and it does not even resemble the rough draft. As I go along I will post updates on this blog.

I have created a world called Horan and I have given it history so I have an idea of what I want to happen I know how it will end, and what will happen to my protagonist, but I find that I continue to re-write chapter 1 instead of moving forward. I have heard this is not unheard of for authors, and what I want to accomplish is to finish this book so I can move on to the next one.

From podcasts and other established authors I have heard that your first great idea may not turn out to be that great novel you wish to write. When I first heard that I thought no, I got a great idea but now I think maybe it is not that great. So my goals are to get this novel written and continue to get input from my writers group, and continue to move forward. Then maybe one day I will be able to say I am a writer, and tell people I am a published author and my wife may one day be proud of me.

So stay tuned for further updates on my process.

Does God Listen?

2009-11-01T10:56:00.002-07:00

Even today my complaint is rebellion; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
"Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His seat!
"I would present my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.
"I would learn the words which He would answer, and perceive what He would say to me.
JOB 23:2-5

Do you ever wonder if God listens to us? Does he ever hear our prayers and requests? Sometimes we feel that he does not because we do not get our way.

Job, in the passage above cries out to our heavenly father. Not because he feels that God is not near him, but in spite of all that has happened to him he cries out proclaiming his love for God. Could you go through what Job did? He lost his children, his wife, his wealth, and his health, and yet not once did he stop proclaiming his love for God. As we all know God was pleased with Job and blessed him with many earthly treasures. Satan made a bet with God that if he took everything from him, and all of Job’s earthly treasures he would turn on God. We know that Job never let his faith falter, yes he questioned God as to why he made him suffer but in the end he knew it was for God’s purpose, and he would not question God’s reasons.

How would you and I react in a similar situation? I would like to think that I would be as strong as Job, but I don’t believe I could. What strength he had, what a faith!

How would we feel if everything was taken away from us and were made to suffer the pains and agony that Job did to find out it was over a bet? Would we be angry? Would be spiteful? Yes I believe we would, at least at first we would.

We need to stop and take a moment to consider all that God has done for us. He has created a beautiful world for us, and he has made it possible for life to live on this planet. Consider all the planets in the Solar system, and yet ours is in perfect balance to sustain life it is not by chance that has happened. No the great creator, and the author of life has done that. Then he breathed life into each and every one of us to live our life to the best of our ability.

When the evil one introduced sin to tempt us, and separate us from him he sent his son to suffer the agony, and pain, and embarrassment of crucifixion. His Son endured this pain for us, and all the while proclaimed God as ruler and king of Earth.

So again I ask you would we be able to act as Job did when all was taken from him over a bet. After considering what God has done for me I say Yes, Emphatically Yes!

I ask you to remember the next time hardship befalls you, and you question God’s reasons that there is a purpose, and it is his purpose. He will show us the reason in his time not ours, and know that every time you reach out to him he is there arms outstretched waiting to comfort you, and protect you. He will never leave you, and when you are at your lowest it is at that time he lifts you up and carries you.

I know that at times it seems we can no longer carry the burden. Remember that he never gives us more than we can handle. Trust in God, and trust in our risen savior Jesus Christ, and trust that on the Day of Judgment we will all be in paradise with our heavenly father..

God Bless your week.

HOW FAR HAVE WE FALLEN?

2009-10-26T19:10:00.002-07:00

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then their eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked: so they sewed fig leaves together and made covering for themselves.

Genesis 3:1-7

The passage above shows just how deceitful Satan is, and how he knows our every weakness and uses that against us every day to separate us from God. For he knew the first husband and wife wanted to be closer to God so he deceived them into thinking that if they ate the fruit it would bring them closer to God, but all it did was cause them to be separated from him and the price for their sin was death.

How does Satan deceive you to push you further away from our Heavenly father? Is it money, Fame, prestige? Whatever it is the evil one knows it and he will use it against you. As God knows our every weakness so does the Prince of Darkness. God would never use it against us where Satan will, and does every day.

We must remember this and always be steadfast in our resolve to deny Satan the satisfaction of separating us from God. It will not be easy because once God gave us free will Satan has been tempting us every step of the way to fall from the path of righteousness.

Whatever you greatest weakness is the evil one will place it in front of you so there is no way that you can avoid it, and what you must do is pray for God to grant you the strength to deny Satan.

As I said before the price for Adam, and Eve’s sin, and ours is death, but our heavenly father has given us another way to paradise, and that is in the form of Jesus Christ.

I pray that God will allow you and me to find our purpose here on earth before he calls us back to be in paradise with him, and I pray that the evil one will not lead us astray from the path God has laid out before us.

Heavenly father I pray that you watch over all who read this message, and that you guide them to find the path that will lead them to happiness. I pray you block Satan’s attempts to make them fall from the path you have laid out before them, and to cause evil in your eyes. In your name we pray.

Amen

What greater Love?

2009-10-16T18:53:00.002-07:00

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7

Corinthians is often called the love chapter of the bible. I would have to agree with that, my wife and I used the above referenced passage in our wedding twelve years ago.

What parent would not lay down their life for their child? God though went a step further and sent his son to die for our sins. He loves us so much that he allowed Jesus to come down to earth and take on our sins, and Jesus took on our death for us so we would not have to endure the pain, humiliation, and suffering, of our sin. That is the greatest show of love of all that God would leave his heavenly palace and come to earth, and become God made man on earth in the form of Jesus Christ. Now many different religions do not believe that God was Jesus and they struggle with the triune God, but as a Christian I know that God is three in one the father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Many believe that it is three separate people, and some believe that Jesus was a prophet, but I know that God is three in one and that he loves me, and you, and everyone so much that he sent his son to live here. He performed miracles for us so we would know it was him, he healed the sick, and dying, and he fed the thousands with one fish and several loaves of bread. He performed these miracles that we would know it was him and all he asks is that we believe, and I do I know that way to the father is through the son.

My wife and I are working on putting our wedding video on DVD and as we watched it back all the memories from that day came flooding back into my mind. As I listened to the words read above, and the pastor talk about the commitment I made to my wife and God that day, I realized I have failed miserably to live up to the oath not only to my wife but to God as well. As we go along in life we tend to get comfortable and don’t really think about how our actions affect our spouse and those around us. Every day I pledge to treat those around me with respect, and love myself, and also better myself and my attitude and every day I fail. I know that God watches over me and he watches over us all we just have to leave it in his loving hands and he will take care of us. We just need to let go, and allow him to lead us wherever the path may go.

Angels

2009-10-02T18:42:00.004-07:00

Are not all Angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:13

Do you believe Angels walk among us? Have you ever had an experience that made you believe an Angel was watching over you?

Angels do walk among us we just need to look for them. They come in the form of someone doing something special for us, or going out of their way for us they may put their life in danger for us we just need to look for them and they will be there.

But do heavenly Angels walk among us? I say yes they do. They do God’s work for him down here on earth, and I believe they keep us on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately sometimes we just go our own way and ignore them, but I believe they are constantly trying to guide us to do the right thing the Godly thing.

Angels have always been an important part of God’s plan for us they were there in the beginning of creation. As it is written in Job38:6-7 Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off the dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstones- while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

Angels are all around us sometimes we see them and other times we feel their presence, and you know what we can all be someone’s Angel as well. Next time make a point to go out of your way for a stranger. Why not help out your neighbor even if they are not next door we are all each other’s neighbor. You never know you may touch someone’s heart and it will cause them to do something nice for someone else, and before you know it everyone will be paying it forward. You just might make a difference in someone’s life.

In closing my friends I ask have you found your Angel.

What are your Gifts?

2009-09-25T18:50:00.002-07:00

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:3-8

“I know God has a special purpose for me being here.” Have you ever said that? I know I have and I have been trying to find that purpose for the last thirty years.
I keep telling myself I know that God gave me a special gift and I just need to find it. I have worked in several different jobs trying to find “what my special purpose is here on earth.” And I have tried to be as involved in the church trying to find that special purpose and waiting for that feeling that tells me I have found it. I always believed that he gave me that one special gift and I have to find it.

Then a few weeks ago at church our most recently installed Pastor, Pastor John did a sermon on this subject and he started by saying, “do you feel God has given you one special gift?” He continued on and said how God has laid before us several different gifts and we just need to find one and work on making it ours, and he would be there to strengthen us and help us to do the best at that one special gift.

I must say once I listened to the sermon I was more confident than ever that maybe I can write and this just might be what he wants of me. I had been saying in my daily prayers “If this is not what you want me to do please let me fail so I can continue to look for the path you wish me to take.” Now I say “continue to guide me down this path, help guide my words and bring me to people that can help me in my writing.” He had done that one year ago when he sent me to the writers group that I joined, at first they were a group of about six to eight and now, well let me just say he has blessed the group and it is larger. There is so much help there I am sure that with their help I can become a better writer.

Last year though something happened that changed things and I did not write as much, I actually got to a point earlier this year where I took all my notes, rough draft and any drafts and put them away in the closet to send them to storage. No sooner did I do that though I began to come up with all these ideas of what I could do with my story, or should I say God gave me many ideas, I do believe he guided me back to it. I believe he guided me back for some purpose and until it is revealed to me I will continue to try and write stories, perhaps he has a plan for me to serve his kingdom here on earth with my words. I will wait until he lets me know: “for it will be in his time not mine.”

So dear friends let me say do not wait for your gifts to find you, go find them and know that God and our lord and savior Jesus Christ will be there to guide you the entire way. Remember he has many different paths four you to follow, find yours and take it trusting in him to show you the way.

May God bless you one and all

Failure

2009-09-24T21:05:00.002-07:00

Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said “This man was with him.”
But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him” he said.
Luke 22:54-57

In the above passage Peter failed Jesus. Do you sometimes feel like a failure? I know I do.

As a Christian all I have to do is leave my cares and concerns in God’s hands and I know anything is possible. But it never fails, no matter what, once I mess up I feel like a failure and disappointed in myself and ashamed to face God. I constantly say, “Lord I will leave it in your hands, just lead me.” Then I turn around and fail, I know it is because I really did not let him lead and that I went ahead and said “No, wait never mind, I will handle it. I can take it from here.” If I would truly leave it in his hands I could never fail, as the saying goes “With him you cannot fail.”

It is of course human nature to keep control of every situation. Nobody else can handle it we are the only ones that knows what needs to be done. And that couldn’t be further from the truth.
We are all well aware of the great sacrifice our heavenly father made for us, and I know that whatever I ask he will answer.

I continue to shout out “Satan you have no control over me,” but I always open that door a little, and that is all he needs to take every opportunity I hand him, and so I continue to fail and close the door on God. I am very ashamed of this sin yet God continues to forgive me. What a loving heavenly father we have, after all that he continues to forgive me, so how come I cannot forgive myself? I guess it is harder to forgive ourselves than it is to forgive others.

We all need to try to live our lives as Jesus lived his while on this earth. If we did the world would be a much happier place to live in.

We should all make the effort to allow God to lead out lives trusting in his name and trusting that with him in control we cannot fail and do our best to not allow Satan in the door. I know I will continue to struggle with this and continue to be amazed of God’s love for me even though I am not deserving of it, and I will hope to one day love myself as he loves me.

Words can kill

2009-09-18T18:31:00.003-07:00

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29

Yesterday I wrote about what I felt was an unnecessary attack on a fellow writer, and it got me to thinking how our words can hurt or kill a person's reputation. I began to think how what I said about the person who sent the anonymous email was a coward, and how that would affect that person’s character. I in no way apologies for the words I wrote as I meant them, but as a Christian I need to choose my words carefully and think about how it affects other people. Words can be a powerful weapon and all of us including myself need to watch how we use our words and always be mindful of that, of course this is easier said than done. I hope that my words yesterday were not taken as an attack on the person's character that wrote the email, but that is used as a learning tool and for them to grow within themselves.

We all need to learn to live together on this big blue planet so we must stop and think before we speak, how will this be taken by whom we say it too? Will they respond with an attack? Is what we say really necessary to get our point across, and can we say it another way so it is not confrontational. It is something everyone can work on and maybe, just maybe, if we all do this the world will become a more respectful place to live on again.

As I type this I am listening to Pink Floyd "Wish you were here," the memories of my youth flood back into my mind. I think back to the time I saw them in concert at Miller Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin though at that time it was called Milwaukee County Stadium. Everyone there was very respectful of each other, we all worked together to make it an enjoyable concert, we gave each other room on the grounds and even shared all of the items we brought to the concert, (of course it was a rock concert, and the 70's so you can figure out for yourself what that was) I was young then and had not yet come back to God. To me it seems things were much simpler back in the 70's but then everyone says that about the era of their youth. It would be nice if once again we all would treat each other with dignity and respect and listen to each other more, and as always I also could be more respectful.

In ending today's blog I would like to say… Oh wait, Animals is starting, let the memories flow free again. :)

So as I was saying in ending today's blog let me say: My prayer is that we all think before we speak, and consider the other person’s feelings before we say what we want to say, and if we still speak we must be prepared for a reaction and to defend our words. May they not hurt the person or kill their character.

Blessings to you this weekend

Freedom Of Speech

2009-09-17T18:02:00.003-07:00

John 8:7- But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Freedom of Speech, our founding fathers felt so strong about it that they made this their first amendment to our constitution. I felt compelled to write about this after I received an email that disturbed me from a member of the writing group I belong to. The Author, Dale is writing an adult Science Fiction novel I will not go into detail on it as this is a work in progress for him and I don't have permission to discuss it, but things are written that are considered disturbing.

From what he said, he was accused of writing Child Pornography from another member of our writing group. I may not have read as much of his story as others but from what I have read it has not bothered me, mostly because I know this is a work of fiction which as I am sure most of you are aware is defined as: An imaginative creation or a pretense that does not represent actuality but has been invented. The act of inventing such a creation or pretense.

The above definition states what fiction is and I understand fiction to be this, so I am in no way offended by his work. We live in a free republic and everyone has a right to say what they want, and anyone has a right to dispute what they say, I feel very strongly about that and I was upset that a member of the writing community took offense to his work.

As writers we should write things that compel reaction from our readers, but what made it worse is that this person sent their email anonymously and he was unable to defend his work, this is nothing short of being a coward.

If someone has offended you by their writing you should either stop reading their work or if you are going to attack them have the decency to give them the opportunity to defend themselves and if you find you cannot come to an agreement, agree to disagree and stop reading their work.

As a Christian I believe Child Pornography is an abomination and anyone who engages in this act has a special place in hell. I in no way believe this Author wrote this for someone to receive that type of pleasure from it, if he did I will leave it for God to judge him as it is written: Do not judge lest ye be judged. So as I said when I began this: Let those who are without sin cast the first stone.

We will all to be judged and nobody is without sin, so do not be so judgmental, and if you are have the decency to give them the opportunity to defend themselves.

Sunday a Day of Rest

2009-09-13T11:23:00.002-07:00

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Genesis 2:2-3

Sunday a day of rest for many of us, or is it? Years ago all of us rested on this day, you would be hard pressed to find anything open, gas stations would close down no shops would be open and everyone spent the morning if not the day worshiping the lord. Not these days though, people are just too busy to slow down much less take a mere one hour of their day to go to church and reflect on their lord and their week. These days everything is 24/7, need to purchase something? Just go to the mall on any day, or even go on-line and buy anytime of the day or night it doesn't matter, someone will always be willing to take your money. Why not try something new and take one day a week and relax, don't watch any TV just be with your family and reflect on our lord. I will try as well to take my own advice as I tend to write on Sundays, as the weekend is the only time I have to write. But I will try to take some time and relax and not worry about putting in 100 words or two pages today. Will you?

Someone else who has always been there for you 24/7 is God. Is he really asking too much for you to come and visit his house one hour a week on the most blessed day, Sunday? I don't think so, but yet so many of us do have a hard time finding the time for him, and I am considered among them. There are days I wake up and just think I would rather stay home and have an extra cup of coffee, or just lie around the house, and I have. I always feel guilty when I do that, but I still find myself falling into Satan's trap that God won't mind if I take a day off. Does God ever take a day off? No, Does Jesus Christ ever say "I don't have time for you today, handle it yourself" No, he even went so far as to the cross for our salvation. You may ask why? He doesn't even know me; you couldn't be farther from the truth. Even on Sunday's he is there for us lifting us up when we need it the most. So if you ever feel like you are at your lowest point know that God our Father is there, and Jesus Christ has taken up your cross. So I ask you, do you have time for God. One hour that is all he asks do you have time. I hope so, and if you didn't go to church today, my prayer is that you do next Sunday or the Sunday after that, don't worry he will be there waiting. Just don't wait too long.

It amazes me how Satan is always after us to turn us from God and to not show the love he has for us to others. As I left Church this morning not two blocks from Church, a vehicle speeds up behind me and goes around me to the right into a turn lane then cuts in front of me forcing me into the left turn lane. I was going that anyways so no big deal but then he continued into that lane and nearly sideswiped me. Satan how he sucks because he knows my pet peeve is aggressive drivers, so not even 20 minutes after soaking in the lord I was enraged, I did drive alongside him and threw my arms up in the air, but he mouthed an expletive to me and sped away zigzagging in and out of traffic, as I did a slow burn. Not the way I like to feel any day much less on Sunday. Aggressive drivers suck. If you drive like that please for all our sakes slow down nobody is that important and there is no need to be in a hurry to your grave or to send someone to theirs.

Have a blessed day and may I end this with the blessing of the church: May the peace of the lord which surpasses all understanding be with all of you.

2009-09-12T12:49:00.002-07:00

I went to a book signing today, a member of the writers group I belong to was selling his second book. It was an interesting time and I got to know him a little better, his name is Tom Alberti and he writes southwestern themes. If you like stories of cowboys and horses you should google his name and check out his books, I don’t know the titles off the top of my head but I am sure if you search his name you should be able to find him.

I was fortunate to read some of his writing and he is a good writer, I asked how long he worked on his novels and was surprised to find out he started in 2007 and already has two books published, wow that is something. He has a background in writing so that may have helped him but I wish him luck and I hope to one day to have my own book signing, but time will tell.

9/11 A Day of Remembrance

2009-09-12T10:59:00.002-07:00

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
-Psalm 23

I just realized I started my blog on 9/11 and failed to mention anything about the day. I did not know anyone who lost their life on 9/11 but I pray we all never forget that tragic day. The day the terrorist of the world woke a sleeping giant, and that we never forget nor do we forget December 7th 1941 two days that will live in infamy. And we never forget all those who gave their life that day willingly and unwillingly for they are all true heroes.

There are many events scheduled today 9/12 regarding this current government, I don't agree with many of the policies of this current administration but we still have the best form of government in the known world. We the people must hold those accountable for their actions and not let the special interest groups steer this country away from Capitalism. I will stand with my fellow countryman and say enough is enough; we want our Government back and remind our Congressman and Senators who they work for.
I love this country and don't want our freedom taken away, so God Bless the United States of America, our service men and women and all who fought and fight today to keep our country free.

2009-09-11T21:39:00.003-07:00

This is my first attempt at a blog, I have never done this before and I am interested to see how this turns out. What I will attempt to do with this is to dig into my Christian beliefs and try to give inspiration to those that may need it
For all we have has been given to us by our heavenly father and no power is stronger than our lord and savior Jesus Christ.

First and foremost I am a Christian, a Lutheran to be specific, I came back to God in 1985 and that in of itself is a story and perhaps one of these days I will share that with you.

Also I am an aspiring writer and I will document my attempts to become published, or at least get my stories written by established publishing houses or self publish it on my own. I would rather have an agent and a publishing house but time will tell how that works out. I leave it in my savior’s hands.

In 2007 I finally started to write my first novel which I had in my mind for some time.

Some would say that since I turned 50 in 2008 it was a mid-life crisis but I don't agree. If it was, it would mean my life was half over and I am too stubborn to go at 100.

Now, I did not go into this with blinders thinking I would put out a novel in no time and be God's gift to writers. I knew this would be a long adventure and I could very well never get it finished much less be published.
I have completed the rough draft at 150,000 words and now I am in the process of trying to get it polished and worthy of being published or at least to get it in print. I also am working on short stories in different genres as well.

I am a fan of fantasy fiction and I am writing a fantasy novel, I have created a world and have two new kinds of races not seen in print before.

My favorite Author is Raymond E. Feist I own the first twelve books of his Midkemia series and if I could be a tenth the writer he is I will consider myself a success, well really if I get published I will consider myself a success.

I belong to a great writers group in this small little hamlet of Arizona and it is a very diverse group with some members being published and others like me working on that first book. They are very encouraging with their input they tell me what is wrong but never say that I should turn around and get out.

Well that is all for today I think, I will update this blog as time permits and if some of you benefit from this I will be blessed. Thanks for reading.