The past week has been a blur. I'm sorry I've been absent from here. When I've had a moment, I've had to put my creativity elsewhere.
However, I've had some good feedback from Mark Gilroy (my agent) regarding publisher responses to The Runaway Pastor. Still no contract. Some publishing houses still reading it. A cool rejection though! Sorry, can't explain that comment, but sometimes we might be defined by those who don't like our slant. And this one was OK with me.
Also, I continue to believe that some news regarding the publishing of The Runaway Pastor will be coming here very soon. Stay tuned.
Another cool development today. A well known personality who contacted me recently hoping for good news regarding Runaway's. They have committed to endorsing the book and writing some stuff for the back or front cover when it is published.
One more thing, a friend in the business gave me some awesome (and gratis!) advice on BREAKERS. I am so grateful, and hope to begin doing some more work on it before long. Don't be surprised if there is some additional material included in already posted chapters.
Finally, I am a pastor. The busy-ness this week has been intense yet gratifying. I do love the people I work with and those of our community. Tomorrow I will help with a funeral service. Two little girls and their mommy are grieving a daddy and husband and community hero who died too young. I pray for the grace of Christ to bring strength and healing to their broken hearts. I would appreciate you doing the same.
Peace.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
BREAKERS Chapter NINE
Thanks for your interest in BREAKERS. I enjoyed getting back to it, and mixing some old writing that used to be in the first couple of chapters (in my original beginning several years ago), with some new stuff.
The skaters/surfers are completely new additions in this edition, and I kind of like them. I think they give us a new way to look at Cam. I really don't know how involved they will be in the ongoing of the book, but since their personalities are in my brain now, they could show up at any time.
I've also redone the scene here with the jeweler and his wife. This used to take place at the time when Kenna first took the ring to Mr. Schultz...making Cam and Kenna's first date at Breakers--the ocean side restaurant--a much different kind of thing. Again, I like seeing the changes and the developments as they are happening.
One more time. As the few of you who know me understand, I have a more than full-time job, and so opportunities to work on this project are rare. Usually they happen late at night when I am really tired; thus I am forced to make many editions and changes the next day or week or whenever another crack of time appears. Thanks for your patience and thanks for your continued interest and kind words. They encourage me.
Well, here is BREAKERS Chapter Nine. Enjoy, tell a friend about BREAKERS if you are enjoying it, and as always please give me your feedback. You can help decide the direction of this book, because I don't know what the ending will look like. However, I do have a master plan idea for an interface between the world of BREAKERS and that of The Runaway Pastor in a future book! (You read it here first.)
Oh, you haven't read chapters 1-8 of BREAKERS? Here they are!
The skaters/surfers are completely new additions in this edition, and I kind of like them. I think they give us a new way to look at Cam. I really don't know how involved they will be in the ongoing of the book, but since their personalities are in my brain now, they could show up at any time.
I've also redone the scene here with the jeweler and his wife. This used to take place at the time when Kenna first took the ring to Mr. Schultz...making Cam and Kenna's first date at Breakers--the ocean side restaurant--a much different kind of thing. Again, I like seeing the changes and the developments as they are happening.
One more time. As the few of you who know me understand, I have a more than full-time job, and so opportunities to work on this project are rare. Usually they happen late at night when I am really tired; thus I am forced to make many editions and changes the next day or week or whenever another crack of time appears. Thanks for your patience and thanks for your continued interest and kind words. They encourage me.
Well, here is BREAKERS Chapter Nine. Enjoy, tell a friend about BREAKERS if you are enjoying it, and as always please give me your feedback. You can help decide the direction of this book, because I don't know what the ending will look like. However, I do have a master plan idea for an interface between the world of BREAKERS and that of The Runaway Pastor in a future book! (You read it here first.)
Oh, you haven't read chapters 1-8 of BREAKERS? Here they are!
BREAKERS Chapter Nine is on the way!
I wanted to put this out here in case you stop by looking for another chapter of BREAKERS. I am putting the final touches on chapter nine, and I think you'll really like it. It's getting intense. I was laughing one minute and sitting shocked the next minute as I wrote. (Right, I have no idea what's coming in my stories much of the time. It's more fun to let the characters do what the characters do.)
So remind your friends to read and be caught-up on BREAKERS' first eight chapters. And tonight, or at the latest Friday morning, I'll have the next chapter up here. I think you'll like it.
So remind your friends to read and be caught-up on BREAKERS' first eight chapters. And tonight, or at the latest Friday morning, I'll have the next chapter up here. I think you'll like it.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Giants and Storms and Overcomers
The storm rises on the sea's horizon. Guts tighten and hearts quicken, but for one-- who finds a cushion and takes a nap as the waves rise and toss the ship.
A giant steps to the front line of battle and his harassment echoes across the psyche's of his enemies. Fear grips all. They neglect offers of wealth and fame in favor of staying safe on their own side of the valley, but for one--who finds it unthinkable to fear such a certain loser.
The one from Bethlehem is aroused by the frightened ones. He stands and speaks to the roaring winds. And immediately there is peace.
The young one from Bethlehem is aroused by the fear in the frightened ones, and the blasphemy on the lips of the giant. He strides forth armed with only a shepherd's sling and fires a single river stone into the giant's forehead and the enemies' hearts. And immediately there is victory.
If the odds remain the same today, you and I live amongst and are examples of those who cower. But the one who calls us invites us to have hearts of valor and confidence in the God we serve. We are designed to overcome.
We are called to slay storms and silence giants all around us.
Peace be with you, as you speak to the winds.
A giant steps to the front line of battle and his harassment echoes across the psyche's of his enemies. Fear grips all. They neglect offers of wealth and fame in favor of staying safe on their own side of the valley, but for one--who finds it unthinkable to fear such a certain loser.
The one from Bethlehem is aroused by the frightened ones. He stands and speaks to the roaring winds. And immediately there is peace.
The young one from Bethlehem is aroused by the fear in the frightened ones, and the blasphemy on the lips of the giant. He strides forth armed with only a shepherd's sling and fires a single river stone into the giant's forehead and the enemies' hearts. And immediately there is victory.
If the odds remain the same today, you and I live amongst and are examples of those who cower. But the one who calls us invites us to have hearts of valor and confidence in the God we serve. We are designed to overcome.
We are called to slay storms and silence giants all around us.
Peace be with you, as you speak to the winds.
Friday, June 19, 2009
An Invitation to the Mountains
Hello everyone;
I got a crazy idea last spring when I was out hiking. I always think of friends when I'm on a trail, and I thought, hmmmmmm, why not invite a group of friends to join me for some hiking and camping? So that is what I'm doing.
If you think you would enjoy some day hikes (nothing tough or technical), I invite you to consider joining me this August. Check out the opportunity at http://www.uhikealong.blogspot.com . I would love to have you join me.
Now I've just put this up online, so don't be afraid to be the first follower (besides me), and give this some thought.
Hope you'll hike along. We'll have fun!
David
I got a crazy idea last spring when I was out hiking. I always think of friends when I'm on a trail, and I thought, hmmmmmm, why not invite a group of friends to join me for some hiking and camping? So that is what I'm doing.
If you think you would enjoy some day hikes (nothing tough or technical), I invite you to consider joining me this August. Check out the opportunity at http://www.uhikealong.blogspot.com . I would love to have you join me.
Now I've just put this up online, so don't be afraid to be the first follower (besides me), and give this some thought.
Hope you'll hike along. We'll have fun!
David
Monday, June 15, 2009
BREAKERS News
Good news for me!
Do you remember me saying that I'd written the beginning to BREAKERS years ago, printed out some along the way, then my hard drive crashed. I lost the last parts I'd written, but I had a printed copy of most.
So what I've been doing with BREAKERS is basically inputting the old stuff when I get a chance, and editing/adding along the way.
Well, last week a friend offered to type in all of the old stuff, so I could have it in electronic form on my computer. I kind of laughed inside, because what I have typed out is in rough shape. I've edited with a pen (or now faded pencil) in margins, or in between single spaced lines; and there are arrows snaking their way from one page to another. I couldn't imagine anyone (besides perhaps my wife who typed my thesis in days before word processing) being able to face the chore. But yesterday, that brave woman saw the mess, took ownership of it, and is doing this task! I'm amazed.
I guess this means getting more of BREAKERS out there will be easier for me. I'll have fewer excuses--at least until I run out of what I've written. Anyway, I wanted to let you know there was some progress happening.
Peace.
Do you remember me saying that I'd written the beginning to BREAKERS years ago, printed out some along the way, then my hard drive crashed. I lost the last parts I'd written, but I had a printed copy of most.
So what I've been doing with BREAKERS is basically inputting the old stuff when I get a chance, and editing/adding along the way.
Well, last week a friend offered to type in all of the old stuff, so I could have it in electronic form on my computer. I kind of laughed inside, because what I have typed out is in rough shape. I've edited with a pen (or now faded pencil) in margins, or in between single spaced lines; and there are arrows snaking their way from one page to another. I couldn't imagine anyone (besides perhaps my wife who typed my thesis in days before word processing) being able to face the chore. But yesterday, that brave woman saw the mess, took ownership of it, and is doing this task! I'm amazed.
I guess this means getting more of BREAKERS out there will be easier for me. I'll have fewer excuses--at least until I run out of what I've written. Anyway, I wanted to let you know there was some progress happening.
Peace.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Human Touch, and Divine
There are joy-filled touches in human relationships. Hurts and joys felt so deeply, they threaten to undo us.
In a theater with family the other evening. My arm is around my wife, and my hand rests on the skin of her upper arm. The tenderness in that moment plowed through my soul with such force, I lost track of the movie, and time. I only wanted to feel and hold onto her and that fleeting instant.
Cradling my grand-daughter in my arms, then laying her in my lap and looking in her eyes. She begins to coo and speak with me. I speak and am quiet. She "speaks," then waits. Eventually, she wiggles her entire body trying to "say" what is in her. She smiles and I melt.
Sometimes when my children hurt or are sick, I'll hold them and tell them I'm leaking love into them. Or I'll say I'm soaking healing into them through my embrace. And I believe it.
What does love look like? I'm not always sure. But I know what it feels like. It stops time, it suspends my needs, it invokes deep passion for the better of the other.
I think of Jesus calling his Father, "Abba." The word is like our "Daddy," or "Papa." We are told the relationships within the Trinity are perfectly loving. I want to understand that. I want to believe that when I make my noises and wiggle with my fears and strive in my praying that somewhere, somehow God hears me and gets it. And then, I want to believe God begins to embrace and leak love into me...
Take peace in such hope.
In a theater with family the other evening. My arm is around my wife, and my hand rests on the skin of her upper arm. The tenderness in that moment plowed through my soul with such force, I lost track of the movie, and time. I only wanted to feel and hold onto her and that fleeting instant.
Cradling my grand-daughter in my arms, then laying her in my lap and looking in her eyes. She begins to coo and speak with me. I speak and am quiet. She "speaks," then waits. Eventually, she wiggles her entire body trying to "say" what is in her. She smiles and I melt.
Sometimes when my children hurt or are sick, I'll hold them and tell them I'm leaking love into them. Or I'll say I'm soaking healing into them through my embrace. And I believe it.
What does love look like? I'm not always sure. But I know what it feels like. It stops time, it suspends my needs, it invokes deep passion for the better of the other.
I think of Jesus calling his Father, "Abba." The word is like our "Daddy," or "Papa." We are told the relationships within the Trinity are perfectly loving. I want to understand that. I want to believe that when I make my noises and wiggle with my fears and strive in my praying that somewhere, somehow God hears me and gets it. And then, I want to believe God begins to embrace and leak love into me...
Take peace in such hope.
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