Something To Chew On

I love this.

"You can live right and love wrong, but you can't love right and live wrong." 

Pastor Trevor Barton of Hawk Creek Church has said this over and over in his recent sermon series, and I don't know if it's his quote or someone else's.  I just love it and had to share. (Okay, I know that technically, you can't live right and love wrong, but I still like it because it exposes the Pharisee's false illusion that it's about what you do, not who/what you love.)

What does this quote say to you?

To me it says, stop focusing on legalities--whether or not something is permissible/acceptable, and take a good, honest look at what's inside your heart.  Love of the world?  Love of self?

It says, stop trying to be good enough for God and just get in His presence. The curtain isn't there anymore. He'll take you as you are, same ole' mistakes, warts, and all. Let Him transform you, because your own efforts will always end in failure.

It says, re-examine your daily ambitions. Your actions, reactions and words are proving who and what you love. Who/what is it?  Hmmm.

By Michael Mistretta link

It says, focus on your relationship with God, and everything else will fall into place.

It says, when you truly love God, you will truly love people. And when you truly love people, you will be slow to anger, quick to forgive, eager to serve, and long-suffering.

God, help us to love you the way we should.

Do You Study the Books You Read?

How many of you study the books you read? (The good ones that make you wonder why you ever thought you could write, not the bad ones.) I've been on a reading fest, and started keeping a notebook handy to jot my questions and thoughts as I go along. "Plot and Structure" got me started. According to Bell, you can become a master plotter by simply observing how other authors transition between Act I, Act II and Act III. And while I'm interested in sharpening my plotting and character development skills, I'm also exploring other genres in order to further define my style and calling as a writer. Call it a writing identity crisis. Maybe it is. Trust me on this, if you went from a household of three to a household of ten plus, you'd start reading other genres too. :-)

Okay, brief update: things are starting to settle down after a crazy summer, but its still way different than my life in Texas.  I miss Texas and the introvert-friendly life I had there.  A lot.  But I know that God has a purpose and a plan for our lives in Kentucky, and I'm determined to serve and please Him to the best of my ability.  Even if it means I don't get as much quiet time anymore. :-) My creativity is suffering a bit, but its still there, and I'm excited about getting back into a writing routine -- probably weekday evenings for a while.  If I can write at least one sentence a day, and that sentence is better than "she crept toward the open door, her heart full of cows" (have you ever done that? write what someone is saying aloud?? *sigh*), then my writing career is not doomed.  Moo.

Anyway, if you like the idea of studying the books you read and want to join me, here are some questions I start with.

Is the book grabbing me, sucking me into the story with super vacuum strength, and refusing to let me go?  Why or why not? On a scale of 1 to 10, how motivated am I to keep reading?

Do I like the author's writing style? Why or why not?

Are the main characters cliched? Life-like? Endearing? What are their personalities? What makes them unique?

What event transitions the book from ACT I to ACT II? ACT II to ACT III?

Is the plot predictable?

Got some questions I can add to my list? Or want to say that this is a bad idea altogether? LOL!  I'm rambling today, so I'll take whatever you got. ;-)

Paradox Anyone?

The independent and willful heroine who isn't interested in love.

The titled, rich young woman longing to break free.

The cynical, rough-around-the-edges hero, haunted by his past.

The heartless, psychotic villain who has no conscience.

The beautiful and cruel "other" woman.

We've all seen these character archetypes, templates (dare I say the c-word?) a hundred times thanks to the rise of novels, movies and TV shows over the years.  Do you ever tire of them?  For me, its not the template I get tired of (its hard to come up with a character that doesn't fit some type of character template these days), its the way the character is portrayed. I believe its possible to create original, outstanding characters from an overused template by focusing on believability.  Believability is the game changer.

So how does one do believable?  Don't start with quirks (although you'll need them), start with a personality paradox. Because real humans are such complex creatures, especially the interesting ones. ;-)

The cowboy who loves classical music and can name a composer within the first few bars of any music piece.


Photo Credit

The skinny and slightly geeky timelord who wears a trenchcoat and canvas sneakers with his suit and tie, and yet radiates a charm and appeal that draws the ladies like flies to honey. (Heather, you're to blame for my Doctor Who tangent, hehehe. ;-)  But he's a great example of a fascinating character created from the "hero with a haunting past" template.

The rich, titled heroine who collects and studies bugs as an amateur entomologist.

The judge who's killing off his blackmailers to ensure his family's safety. 

The nobleman with callused hands that testify to his love of farming.

Basically, you want to give your character an occupation or status that strongly contributes to their personality make-up, and then come up with something that is totally out of character for someone of that occupation or status.  There's your endearing paradox.

Can you think of any others?  I'd love to hear your input!

Book Review of "The Harbinger"

I had never heard of Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn until a friend called me late last year and told me about an interview he was doing on Sid Roth's show regarding a book he had written, creating a parallel between the fate of ancient Israel and America. Intrigued, I watched it, astounded at the evidence he gave.  I knew I had to read his book.  And I finally got my chance the other day.

It wasn't a non-fiction book as I had expected. Rabbi Cahn wrote it in the form of a story to make it an easier read for those who have a hard time making it through non-fiction.  Don't pick this up expecting a great novel--there is no characterization, little scene movement, and the writing isn't brilliant. Most of the book is dialogue (much untagged), but then Rabbi Cahn isn't a novelist.  He's a messenger with a very important message.  Personally, I didn't have any problem getting through the book, and finished it in two days--the mind-boggling revelations drove me onward.

Every American should read The Harbinger.  It's hard to think of 9/11 as a Divine judgement and warning, but as Rabbi Cahn compares the tragedy to Scripture and the last days of ancient Israel, the evidence becomes clear, shedding new light on America's frightening response, and the economic troubles that followed. I learned something new about our country's beginnings. Did you know that New York City was our nation's first capital (not D.C.), and the little church at Ground Zero was the place where this nation was first consecrated to God as George Washington's first act as the first President of the United States?  The place where the twin towers came down really is symbolic and full of meaning in a way that no one realizes, and this is only one detail out of many presented in The Harbinger.

So does America have a future?  Is there hope? Not without God.  We need to heed God's warning, repent, and turn back to Him as a nation.  Only then will He restore the hedge of protection that has kept America safe and propserous all these years. If we don't . . . I'm moving to Australia. (Hehe, had to end on a light note. :-)

"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." --2 Chronicles 7:14