You may find this surprising

You might find this shocking, but sometims I can be offended. Gasp!! Those of you who know me well are shocked right down to your toes, I know, but yes, I get offended....

Okay, not offended. Mad.

When I'm treated like I'm a second grader, spoken down to and disrespected. BTW, this has nothing to do with publishing or my marriage or family or finances or the general state of my life.

Yet, I should not be offendable. Or even provoked to anger. If I've died and my life is hidden in Christ, why would an unjust situation anger me?

Because I'm a sinner. Weak. Trapped in the boastful pride of life. My response to the situation has be be Christ like. I can't quit. I can't refuse to do what I'm being told to do and I can't vent. I have to respond in humility even though I believe the situation is wrong.

Even been in this place?

After I got over my initial, "What?!?!" I prayed and talked a long talk with Tony. He is always full of wise counsel. He agrees with me the situation is misordered, but encourages me to have a right, love-centered response.

While I don't agree or like the situation, I welcome the opportunity to refine my character and grow in Christ.

Please, no Staint Rachel's yet, but I am working on it.

Grace and Peace

Babies

My baby sister had a baby this morning. A girl. She has two of each now.

Two boys, 12 and 10. Two girls, 1.5 and 0. She's going to be raising kids for a long time. Elizabeth (Lillabeth) is on the left, eyeing peanut butter.

My sister was born when I was ten. With three brothers, I desperately wanted a sister. Dad came to my school to tell me, catching me as I walked up stairs, back to class.

"Rachel," he said. I ran into his arms. "It's a girl. Rebekah."

So I had a beautiful sister. Too late to help me in the war with the boys, but she came nonetheless.

Thank you, Lord, for sisters. And babies.

A Door to Heaven

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."

Revelation 4:1

The image of the door is impacting. An entrance, a way in, or a way through. Doors open to intimate places, or quiet gardens, or grand halls. Perhaps to new opportunities. Closed behind us, doors keep us from the dangers of outside, or the haunts of our past.

Jesus is challenging John in this vision to come up higher. Enter into a new place. For John, it was a place of revelation. He saw the One who appeared like jasper and sardius seated on an emerald throne.

The revelation of Jesus in His Glory.

What doors is God knocking on in our lives? In my life, I think it's the door to the secret place. Intimacy. Face to face communion.

Maybe for some, it's closing a door to the past and looking forward to the future.

Nevertheless, pondering doors these days.

Peace

I've never felt this...

... exhausted. I'm wore out. I feel like I did June of '83 after pledging Phi Mu in January and being initiated in May. Burning the candle at both ends and every bit of wax in between.

I spent the entire week in rewrite heaven. Will review this weekend and send to my editor. I'm still very excited about this book though I know it backwards and forwards.

Tony is doing well, in case you're wondering. He's such a great husband. I am very blessed.

Been reading in Proverbs. What a great book. You know, just a reminder, button your lip, be kind and wise and don't worry about tomorrow. Solomon had it going on.

I wish I had more exciting things to tell you, but this is my life these day.

Grace and peace.

A Great Afternoon

I had a very lovely afternoon. I met with authors Davis Bunn and Mark Mynheir at the Sun Shoppe Cafe in downtown Melbourne.

I've known and admired Davis' work for years. So it was a big thrill to hang out with him. Davis is such an encouragement and classy man. Mark, a Palm Bay police officer, is a rising author who writes police thrillers. It was fun to get to know him.

God is good.

Then I met Tony for a movie. It's our 14th Wedding Anniversary. We went to see "Failure to Launch." Funny, well done movie! I recommended it, but be warned, Terry Bradshaw show's his backside for a good 30 seconds.

Some things should remain covered up.

To my husband and best friend, I love you. Thank you so much for encouraging me to be all God's called me to be, for making our home safe and peaceful. And fun. ;) You are the best.

Bathroom Tissue or Toilet paper

We're shopping, the hubby and me, and as we round the paper aisle, Tony asks ever so calmly, "Does the guest bathroom have enough bathroom tissue?"

"What did you say?" I asked.

"Bathroom tissue."

I lost it. Right there. In the aisle. Could not stop laughing. Who says bathroom tissue? He might as well said, "Does the privvy have enough tissue?"

While he picks out toilet paper, I laugh.

Seems he'd been reading the aisle signs. Okay, maybe you had to be there, but it was funny. Really.

Working on edits. This is why my blogs are short, Heather. It's the bucket-load-of-edits thing verses the food thing. We're eating some, here and there, once in a while, so that's not bad. But the edit thing... more to do and little time to do it. But, God is able!

I love this verse: Psalm 31:20. "In the secret place of Your presence You hide them (us) from the plots of men; You keep them secretly in Your pavilion from the strife of tongues."

In the secret place of God, hiding in Him, He literally keeps us safe, from evil, from our enemy. Isn't that awesome?

Grace.

Quick Hello

Just a quick hello. Finished line edits today, but now have to go back through and add some layers. I do love this book and really want to make it shine.

Youth Church tonight. David lead worship. He did a great job.

I'm tired. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow, but get this, my body is demanding I exercise. I haven't been because of the no food thing but we are eating some. Mostly, sitting all day gets to me. Need to move.

More later. Peace out.

Jack and Pal

I left Jack at the groomers about an hour ago and now Pal is staring at the door, waiting.

Writing is going slow today. I'm frustrated, but it's because I'm in the weeds of detail and can only get out by cutting through them.

Peace.

Here I am, Your favorite one

Jesus, here I am Your favorite one.
What are You thinking,
What are you feeling,
I have to know.

I'll crown You with my love.
I'll crown You with my love.
- Misty Edwards

Life got you down? Remember, YOU are His favorite one.

Grace and Peace.

Writer's Retreat

I left Thursday afternoon for a writer's retreat at beautiful Lake Swan in north central Florida, about a half hour from Gainsville. Several Florida writers gathered for fellowship and prayer: Kristy Dykes, Merrillee Wren, Nancy Toback, Lynn Coleman and I.

We had a nice time and the grounds of the camp are so peaceful. I got some brainstorming done and a little bit of editing, but mostly fellowship. It's good to be with other writers who have such a heart for the Lord.

Now I'm home and back to the grind, which I love. Tony missed me, so he says, and of course, the dogs missed me. And the cat. Surely the cat missed me.

Davis Bunn read the unrevised version of Lost In Nashvegas and loved it. See his endorsement on the Books link. I called him on Wednesday and talked for a few minutes. What a kind, gracious man.

I would say more, but I'm all talked out.

Grace.

Wednesday again

I go through this every week, Wednesday followed by a Thursday. Such a routine. Can't break out.

Saw my dear Esther Greaves Monday night. Tony and I went over to hear folks house for dinner and prayer. Broke the fast for it, but we are back at it today.

You know the thing about fasting? Hunger. Just in case you didn't know. But grace!

Here are some benefits of fasting from Mike Bickle:

Y Tenderizes and sensatizes the heart to freely receive more from God.
Y Illuminates the mind with the Spirit of Revelation.
Y Fasting enlarges our emotions. (good one)
Y It strengthens and deepens our spiritual identity.

It's been a good week and while I'd love to dally here and bl-ah-og about it, I have to get to work. I'm procrastinating.

Peace.

The House is Quiet

Tony is sleeping. I threw the dogs outside. Am listening to WSIX Big 98 Nashville over the internet.

I'm reading, don't ask why, Desi Arnaz's autobiography. The writing is horrible and he was a male slut. Seriously. When he was 15, his father had his uncle take him to a whore house and a spirit of something-evil got a hold of him and he couldn't stop - even when he was married to Lucille Ball.

Sad. Really very sad. I like biographies, but this one is wearing me down.

Church was good. And I had this amazing dream-experience this morning. Not sure what it all means, but will continue to ask the Lord about it.

Getting ready to work on edits. It's going along well, but I've cut so much I have to make up about 5k words or more. But I'm leaning on the Lord. He will work in me and through me.

Isn't this a great image of our God? Psalm 36:8-9 (NKJV)
"They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

Peace.

Things are better, not that they were bad

Been working on Lost In NashVegas edits. I had a great talk with my editor yesterday and have my mind wrapped around the changes I need to make.

Bit off a big challenge with the fast. Hungry today, but grace remains. Not counting the days because there's no point. Too many remain. Yet my heart is determined. I'm up for this. Down flesh, down!

Spent the afternoon at Barnes & Noble with local writers, talking, brainstorming. Both of them have great stories in the making and its fun to offer deeper ideas or alternate thoughts. I hope they both sell soon.

Fire Dweller tonight. Prayer is good, isn't it?

Otherwise, life is pretty routine. Tony is good. Dogs and cat are good, well, except Pal. He's still annoying but oh so cute. We can't help but love him.

Family is good. Church is good.

God is good.

Peace.

The Secret Place

Tony talked about the secret place last night. Makes me go "hum."

I've always understood we must have a life hidden in Christ. Jesus says in John 15 to abide in Him. Without Him we can do NOthing.

Abiding in Jesus we will bear much fruit. Abiding in Him, His words abiding in us and we can ask whatever we want and it will be done for us.

But we have to abide.

Then Tony said this: "There are things God has for us that can only be found in the secret place."

Smack. Slam. Wow. He's right.

Today, we satisfy our longings with entertainment, food, friends, electronic gagets, bloggers, sports, whatever, but the reality is our joy is ONLY complete by abiding in Jesus.

We have to shush out the rest of the world, reign over our soul and abide.

Is Wednesday hump day?

Feels like the hump fell on me. Hahahaha.

Prayer this morning, then the dentist. I gave him, a young middle-eastern guy, a copy of Lambert's Peace. Think he'll read it? Hahaha. My tongue is still numb. Had a filling replaced.

Need a crown. But not right now.

Feeling of the day? Overwhelmed. Hahahaha.

I'll probably get on the keyboard for awhile and leeaaannn.

The Edits Are Here

Yay! Lots of pages - ideas and suggestions. I'm taking some time to digest them, but really ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Prayers please.

Rachel

Keith Urban II, But better yet, THE CALL

Here are the awaited pictures. I know y'all been just dying! To start things off?



Here's Sheree and I having a grand time... waiting.

This is Keith during the opening. He really is a fabulous entertainer and probably one of the best guitarists I've ever seen. Amazing. For thos of you who are in the know - he reminded me of Andrew A-pair-of-earrings. Loved to play. Didn't want to stop. At the end of the show, I didn't feel "tired" energy from him. It was like he could go on for another hour.

Here's another shot of him. We were in the one-nostrail nose bleed section, and yes there was a two-nostrail section, so we counted ourselves lucky.

Keith felt bad we were so far away, so he invited me up to play keys for him during one set. He's so great. ;)

End the Keith Urban update. I had a God moment in the Forum and if I went there for this moment alone, it was worth it.

Keith had just come out and the crowd was going nuts. It's an amazing feeling to be in an auditorium, a forum, or a stadium with thousands of people cheering.

"Lord," I said, "you promised the stadiums and auditoriums across this nation would be FILLED with abandoned, wholehearted worshippers. Lovers. Crying out for Your Son, not modern truobadours."

I teared up. A sense of destiny and determine gripped me.

"Lord, fullfill Your word. Come, visit America and fill the stadiums with worshippers. Night and day prayer and adoration. On the stage will be no name worship bands and leaders. They will come and go and no one will know when one stops and the other begins because we won't care about men, but Jesus!"

I don't care what it cost, I want to be a part of that revolution, a leader in the move of God where the stadiums of America are filled with night and day worship.

THE CALL

Dutch Sheets, Lou Engle, Francis Frangipane, and Mike Bickle are calling for one million intercessors to join in 40 days of fasting beginning on MARCH 1 (Ash Wednesday) to APRIL 9 (Passover Sunday and the 100-year anniversary of the Azusa Street Outpouring that began at Bonnie Brae Street).We are fasting and praying for Revival, for the shifting of the Supreme Court and the ending of abortion, for the Middle East crisis and the freedom of a billion souls from the vice grip of Islam, and for the security and salvation of Israel, and GLOBAL AWAKENING AMONG THE YOUTH.

Please consider fasting and devoting more time to prayer during this season. Fast a few meals a day if you can't do all 40, fast ALL entertainment, set up a weekly prayer meeting at your house during this time. Please, please, let's be determined! We NEED God to visit America.

Mathew 12:11 - "...the kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force (lay hold of it)." Prayer and fasting are the violent weapons of our warfare the enemy cannot defeat.

Our nation needs us in this hour to repent, to change, to be revived to the things of God. And if God can't get our attention by desperation, He'll do it by destruction. We've seen what destruction has done to other nations. It's hard to recover. Let's repent before destruction.

Peace.

Keith Urban I

Okay, I'd planned on a Keith Urban update complete with blurry pictures, but I'm too tired.

Bed at 3:00 a.m., up at 11:00 and dinner with the Girden's and Exley's at 6:00. James is home for the weekend.

So, I'm determined it's God time over Blog.

Stay tuned.

It's Friday

8:00 a.m. - trip to the dentist. Fun. Not.

2:00 p.m. - leaving for Keith Urban concert. Fun! True.

Though, I must admit, I'll miss being at Fire Dweller. I think it would be better than Keith. Hanging out with Jesus and His folk always is.

A nice, relaxing, beautiful retreat...

... With 80 teenagers and 20 adults.

Our annual Prayer Retreat up at Merritt Island. It was really good. Javier did a great job with worship as usual. And, inadvertently gave me my next book title.

Are you curious?

Yeah? You should be. It's a great! title.

Here it is...

Psych!

I don't know what number prayer retreat this one made for me and Tony. I think the first one was in '92. Maybe the fall of '91. Neither Tony nor I can remember.

But, anyhoo, these are always GREAT retreats. We shouldn't be, but we are always amazed at the gentle beauty of God moving among us. We've had some dynamic retreats - kids out in the Spirit, crying, laughing, getting free, being touched by Love.

We've had retreats where He came in a soft whisper.

This one turned outward. It was about the kids, but also about the world around them. It was the first time ever the kids talked and prayed for friends and family, for God to come and transform our city.

It felt like we crossed up to a new level.

I also had a break through moment with Ezra, my grandbaby. Well, not biologically, but by heart. He's almost two and calls Tony and me, Opa and Oma.

Ez was walking with his parents and turned around to see me coming. He called out, "Oma." Yay! I ended up watching him for the next hour. And by the end, he patted his chest and said, "Ezra." Then patted my leg and said, "Oma."

And drat, his parents are moving this year and taking Ezra and his baby brother with them. So not fair. But, cannot stand in the way of the Lord.

Tomorrow we head out to Tallahassee for a few days.

It's spring break season in Florida. The days are beautiful. Simply beautiful.

Peace.