A few thoughts about Halloween--read at your own risk

First of all. How do you like the website facelift? Isn’t it great? Misty is still working out some kinks, but by and large it’s done.

Okay, on to Halloween. I'm going to get slammed for this, but I have to sound off just a little bit. It's my blog, right?

There are a couple of Halloween issues I just don’t get. First of all…people who freak out all October and blame everything from strep throat to plumbing problems on the devil. Why can’t we plead the blood of Jesus, put on the armor and walk out the month in victory knowing that every day including Octobers 1-31 are days that the Lord has made? I don’t have any more difficulty in October than I do any other month. It’s all in your expectations. Look, if you expect devils and curses and goosebumps down the spine, the devil will be glad to oblige. GIVE NO PLACE TO THE DEVIL. Obey Jesus, pray, worship, read the word—just like every other day. What’s the big deal?

The second Halloween issue I have a problem with…if churches honestly feel the need to boycott the whole thing, why have “Hallelujah” parties at all? Okay, I know they SAY it’s to keep kids off the streets, away from trick or treating, but you know? I think that’s just dumb thinking. Faulty, flawed. If Halloween is inherently evil? Then why aren’t we teaching our kids to stay away from the whole thing? Because no matter how you mask it, we ARE celebrating on Halloween by having these parties. Personally, I think it’s fun. So I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m just saying, don’t confuse the kids by telling them not to celebrate Halloween and then throw a big party and give them a ton of candy—which, considering 40% of American kids are obese, might not be the best course of action anyway.

I’m not going to tell you my opinion about trick or treating. Let’s just say, I’m a little bummed not to have anyone little enough to put a Superman costume on this year….

My Thoughts on Halloween--Read at your own Risk

First of all. How do you like the website facelift? Isn’t it great? Misty is still working out some kinks, but by and large it’s done.

Okay, on to Halloween. I'm going to get slammed for this, but I have to sound off just a little bit. It's my blog, right?

There are a couple of Halloween issues I just don’t get. First of all…people who freak out all October and blame everything from strep throat to plumbing problems on the devil. Why can’t we plead the blood of Jesus, put on the armor and walk out the month in victory knowing that every day including Octobers 1-31 are days that the Lord has made? I don’t have any more difficulty in October than I do any other month. It’s all in your expectations. Look, if you expect devils and curses and goosebumps down the spine, the devil will be glad to oblige. GIVE NO PLACE TO THE DEVIL. Obey Jesus, pray, worship, read the word—just like every other day. What’s the big deal?

The second Halloween issue I have a problem with…if churches honestly feel the need to boycott the whole thing, why have “Hallelujah” parties at all? Okay, I know they SAY it’s to keep kids off the streets, away from trick or treating, but you know? I think that’s just dumb thinking. Faulty, flawed. If Halloween is inherently evil? Then why aren’t we teaching our kids to stay away from the whole thing? Because no matter how you mask it, we ARE celebrating on Halloween by having these parties. Personally, I think it’s fun. So I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m just saying, don’t confuse the kids by telling them not to celebrate Halloween and then throw a big party and give them a ton of candy—which, considering 40% of American kids are obese, might not be the best course of action anyway.

I’m not going to tell you my opinion about trick or treating. J Let’s just say, I’m a little bummed not to have anyone little enough to put a Superman costume on this year….

A new Day!

Took me two days to wind down, but I forced myself to take a few days off. I watched TV, read some, went out to lunch with a new friend who is a kindred spirit and a divine appointment in my life.

Right now I'm knee-deep into Comes a Horseman. Anyone read that? WOW what a great writer Robert (some name I can’t pronounce that starts with an L). Not for the weak stomached or those who firmly believe Christian fiction should be non-sex and non-violent. But oh, my. What a book. What a fantastic wordsmith.

I'm also working on craft. After my last attempt to write a book was so difficult and disappointing, I've gone back to the drawing board. I'm reading The Writer's Journey. Making note cards. I don’t know. I’m not sure I could use this approach at plotting for a chicklit. Maybe could.

Janny, my third CLAIRE book I Love Claire will be out in January. Be looking for a book drawing. I plan to start doing contests again soon. Thanks for the neat encouragement.

Until next time…

Peace

Four minutes to breathe

hello! So last week I had my gall bladder removed. Remember my angst about getting the edit done? Well, I DIDN'T before the surgery. There was just too much and it couldn't be rushed--worked until the wee hours of the morning the night before surgery (since I knew I would be sleeping a lot the next day. :) ). So I recovered a day and started working the next day. Thank goodness GB surgery is out patient. All week though I was so tired and so sick and was thinking oh I can't wait to be done so I can relax. Okay, so yesterday I finally sent it. What did I do last night? Started brainstorming the next idea I plan to propose in a few months. I took off FOUR minutes. The thing is...when you're a type A writer you have to keep moving. I can't sit still. My agent and I discussed the possiblility of only doing two books a year and he considered it a second and then laughed at me. It's not possible for me to not work. Currently I'm getting ready to promote my November release, am in the editing phase of my July 2007 release and I'm writing my May 2007 release (friendlier deadline on that one). So I have three books on my mind plus the new idea I'm putting together--JUST IN CASE it works out. Am I the only one this nuts? Tell me please. HOW do you turn off your head and relax?

Zoe Bateman and Jesus, Mean and Wild

Sad news... Little Zoe Bateman crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is in the arms of Jesus. Such a short time to love this wonderful sweet animal. But time for Jesus to open up a place in my heart that had been closed. Thank you, Jesus. I know you love this little dog too. You know, He really does love animals, I believe. Jesus is so tenderhearted, he just gets it when we're torn up with love over creatures like this.

Ok, I know I just said Jesus was tenderhearted--and he is! But I've been reading Jesus, Mean and Wild by Mark Galli. Foreward by Eugene Petersen (writer of the Message Bible). Been reading this fabulous book after a recommendation from Pastor Brian Zahnd, Pastor of Word of Life in St. Joseph, Mo. How's this for a quote? "Jesus Loves you and has a difficult plan for your life?"
Does that challenge you? GET THE BOOK.

Was in St. Joe for a couple of days with my pastor and a few others from the church. A great couple of days. Worship took my breath away. Missed one service so I could work on edits. Felt peace to do so. We still live in a natural world where our wonderful editors still need our promised edits before they head out of town. :) So I was being a good steward.

I checked out Pastor Zahnd's blog and let me just say...any man who is NOT a worship leader and NOT gay who can cry over Song of Solomon is definitely a man after God's heart.
He also likes Bob Dylan...need I say more? If you live in the St. Joe, Mo. Area and you're looking for a home church. This one should be on the top of your "visit" list.

Check out his blog...
http://www.brianzahnd.com/

And off day

Today was one of those days that just seemed all wrong. I have two more days to finish up an edit where I'm absolutely GUTTING a manuscript. It's hard and it hurts and I want to quit writing forever. I don't think I have what it takes to really be a good writer. If an editor has to change my story to make it work, am I really worth the risk? Don't misunderstand please, my editor is right and the story is better. But why didn't I do it right the first time? I don't know...it's just an off day. Woke up ready to dive in and finish this thing, and Little Zoe Bateman discovered that chewing on cords is oh-so-fun. So I am obliviously writing away while she is blissfully at my feet chewing away and all of a sudden I notice my "cord" symbol is gone and the "battery" symbol is on. The little twerp bit through my cord. And here is the problem with owning a Dell....NOTHING fits it but Dell products. So I finally tracked down a laptop I could borrow and got it home only to discover there isn't enough charge in my computer to even save the ms to jumpdrive. So I drive BACK into town and to radio shack, spend over $100 on a universal cord that powers mine, but won't charge the battery. So I'm chained to one spot. I lost almost a whole day of work by the time all was said and done. So today isn't my favorite day. I have to keep reminding myself that This is the Day the Lord has made. I will REJOICE and be glad in it. So far it's not working.....I just want to curl up and forget everything. But if I don't get the edit done, I will ahve to miss out on a conference I planned to go to Wednesday night. I need to get away, to hear from God. I'm confused about things. Relationships, career. I don't know. I feel invisible and it's hard. I know that it's in the cleft of the rock, hidden, that we get to see God pass by and show His glory, so I'm hoping that's where I am. Otherwise, it's just too depressing...