My CD

A word about my CD. I don't really have a CD. Well, I've been recorded. And it's on a CD, but it's a live Fire Dweller set and well, ain't what you're used to hearing on a CD.

It's a good set, for a live prayer and worship session, but trust me, there are some clinkers. My friend Heather's been telling me she wants one but I've yet found the courage to actually send her one. Ha!

Every time I sing with Javier, one of the best worship leaders I've sung with or worshipped with, anywhere, we have some really awesome choruses and antiphonal songs. He wrote a new song based on one our of sets a few weeks ago, but man, there are some pitch issues every once in awhile.

I mean, I guess it can be expected. There's no music or no words. We sing off of the scriptures read and prayers prayed. Javi plays the same chord progression but every once in awhile, he does something I'm not expecting. He goes one way, I go another.

Yikes. Pretty funny to hear it played back.

So, that's my CD story and I'm sticking to it.

Weekend recap

Left for the wedding at 8:30 a.m.

9:00 - Warmed up my voice on the piano. Worshipped then learned to play Desperado.

9:22 - Looked for hot water for voice. Found mug and water in church kitchen. Found microwave. Ta-da, hot water.

9:30 - David shows up and we do a sound check and quick run through of the songs.

Wedding party in trickling in.

10:23 - Wedding begins.

10:50 - David and I get up to play and sing. Two songs. Stood behind the wall of groomsmen so I was very happy not to be most visible. Singing went well. Did not croak or pass out. Could not look at bride during the singing. She was worshipping and it would've made me cry. Then I would've croaked.

11:30 - Drove to reception

12:00 - Tony and I played in park by reception hall with Eza. He'd say, "M'on, Opa and Oma."

Somewhere in here bridal party shows up.

2:30 - Leave reception.

3:30 - 6:00 - Deep nap.

6:30 - Dinner at Gani for Lance's birthday with all the Olinskis and the Barthalomews. Good times.

10:00 - Stop by Olinskis for a bite of cake. No I didn't not need it. Yes I was way over my point count for the day, possibly for the week.

11:30 - Collapse in bed.

All in all, a beautiful spring day, lovely, tender wedding, good dinner celebrating a friend.

Sunday

6:30 - Anoying alarm disturbs sleep.

7:40 - Leave for church

8:00 - 8:45 - Pick out worship set and spend time in prayer.

9:00 - Get band ready and rehearse.

9:55 - Start worship

11:45 - Closing worship song.

12:30 - Go home, eat lunch, talk to house guest Micah, update blog, take nap.

Yes, Heather, I owe you a worship CD.

Day is done. God is good.

Sometimes you have to take a day...

... and do errands. Got up for an 8:30 meeting, which went well, but long. Then went to pastor/Fire Dweller leader prayer, followed by our Fire Dweller meeting, followed by lunch with Javi, errands, a visit to Barnes & Noble and at last home.

We have a new Fire Dweller motto. Talk is cheap.

Now I'm writing a few pages of Diva. I'm ready to get started and reading through a book for a friend before she turns it in to our editor.

Tomorrow is busy again. Wedding rehearsal and dinner tomorrow night for one of our former youth. I'm singing at the wedding Saturday morning. And yes, I'm crazy.

We have a house guest from Kansas City. She took my car to the beach today and had a good time. We continue to meet KC people, one by one, as they come for a Florida vacation. What a cool calling we have!

Grace and peace.

Increase your tension and your speed

"Increase your tension and your speed."

This is what our spinning instructor said to us this morning. What? Climb a steeper hill and go faster? At 6:15 a.m.? You're crazy.

I went faster, but my hill got smaller. ::wink, wink::

Watched "Walk The Line" with Tony. Good movie. Research I suppose.

Worked on Diva outline today. Got some feedback on my synopsis from my editor Ami. Thank you, Ames!

Very tired now. Must sleep.

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday

It's an old Monkey's tune. Now you know.

Long day at church with services and after church party for the youth, but it was fun. Good conversation around the light booth with Dave, Trisha, Elizabeth, Chelle and et. al.

Afterwards, Tony and I came home and have been talking and doing stuff on our computers. Very nice evening.

Damaged Mirror Update: I was able to electronically adjust my mirror, so the damage is managed. The mirror is cracked pretty bad and the casing was broken off, but it's wedged on for now.

Death Of A Mailbox: Tony went to leave for church and found our mail box on the ground, belly up. It's dead. The mail box bashers have done him in. Funeral services will be tomorrow at 10:00. Dirge at 10:02. Burial at 10:04.

Please, do not send flowers. The family request donations to the Replace Bash Mail Box fund.

Mail Box was 5 years old. He is not survived by any other mail boxes.

I killed my mirror

Last night, I pulled into the garage - around Tony's angled truck and the sound equipment trailer.

I was a little close to the garage wall, but I made it.

This moring, I pull out, checking over my left shoulder to clear Tony's truck when I hear "crunch."

Look over and the passenger side mirror is crumpled and cracked!! Ah! I killed my mirror.

I hate when that happens.

Tony popped it back into place, but it needs to be fixed. At a later date.

Went to a friend's wedding today on the beach. So lovely. Saw several old Harris work friends. It was really cool. I miss them.

Peace out.

Got the word back

Found an email from my secondary editor in my in-box this morning.

Rachel! Rachel, Rachel, Rachel. What a fabulous job you did on your rewrites! Seriously, it was a strong manuscript before, but with the tightening and tweaking you did... Goodness, it's wonderful! Give yourself a pat on the back.

Woo hoo. Big sigh of relief. I sent them to her Monday at 2 til Midnight. But I have to say, GOD IS GOOD. I truly give Him all the praise and thanks. I'm not doing a religious lip service here. The creator of the universe, the uncreated God, the Almighty, makes His home inside of me. I imagine His creative genius supercedes any human creative capacity.

He's so amazing.

Off to work on next book now, opening a new chapter, closing on old one.

Oh, been listening to Kim Hill's new CD, Broken Things. It's awesome. Visit Kim's web site to buy a copy. Seriously, I highly recommend it.

www.kimhillmusic.com.

Peace and grace.

Accomplished today

I did some research for Diva, and started writing her bio as if she were speaking in an interview. It was fun because I just let the information flow and didn't try to fix it.

It's a great way to learn about the character.

Worked on dedication and acknowledgements for Lost In Nashvegas. I loved this part - it's my favorite. When I wrote them for Georgia On My Mind, I cried and cried.

Well, it's late... Grace and Peace from the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

Resurrection Sunday

Today's the day we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead, conquering death and hades. Our church always has a sunrise service on the beach, and today was simply beautiful.

But greater than Jesus being raised from the dead, and ascending into heaven, is that he also lives in us. Colossians 1:27 Paul reminds us that "Christ in you, the hope of glory. THIS is the mystery of the ages."

The unseen, uncreated God dwells inside of us. He chooses to make His home in mankind. Amazing!

We're home

We're home from Nashville. More later....

By the way, I was a guest blogger on Tricia Goyer's GenX parenting site. Check it out.

http://www.genxparents.blogspot.com/

First Day in Nashvegas

Tony and I had a great drive up Sunday. Thank you, Jesus. The weather was great and except for a few slow downs, traffic flowed.

Yesterday my brother Peter-John and his wife, Julie, and son Asa came over for the day. Fun! We had breakfast at the Pancake Pantry then ran around Centennial park with Asa before a visit to Harris Teeter followed by roaming around down town.

The picture is Tony and me with Asa on the steps of the Parthenon.

We had a nice dinner downtown, visited the CMT block party. It was okay, but we were tired, I think. We visit Grunn Guitars which is a nice, famous guitar store in downtown. Had fun talking to the sales guy about who he's sold guitars to.

When we got back to the hotel, I discovered my Lost edits back from my second round editor, Leslie, so I got to work on those. Mostly reviewing her edits and changes, then will go back and add or fix things she notated. It's in pretty good shape, thank the Lord. And thank you Leslie.

Today I'm meeting with some folks, Kim Hill, a Christian artist and a rep from one of the record labels. Probably drive around town some, figure out where my character will live and breathe.

Well, off to get some stuff done before the day gets away.

Peace and grace to you from God our Father and the Lord, Jesus.

Heading out

We're going to Nashville next week. On the verge of writing Diva Nashvegas, my second book for WestBow, I needed to do some more research.

Tony is going with me. Yay!

I'd rather be home writing and working, but I know I need to get back to Nashville, look at the city from a Diva's point of view and scout out some different locales.

Finished my final edits on Georgia On Her Mind. I'm excited about this book. I can't believe it will be out in six months. Woo hoo.

Encouragement from the Word. Psalm 23 is familiar to us all. Perhaps too familiar. David beautifully paints a picture of the One true God and how He is able, within Himself, to provide all our needs.

He is our Shepherd. David proclaims, "I shall not want."

God is able to provide all our needs. No matter what the circumstance, He is able. Better yet, He is willing.

"He makes us lie down in green pastures," David writes. These are not idle words. Green pastures are an image of peace. Our Lord is a Lord of peace, both of heart, mind and soul.

"He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness."

He is a God who heals wounds and emotions. We don't have to be riddled with fear and anxiety. Walking in His ways leads us to right thinking, right living.

Peace out.

A pair of jeans

I have a pair of jeans I love. When I pull them from the dryer and slip them on, they are snug and make me feel fat.

But, I wear them for an hour or two, they loosen up so much I feel skinny again.

We all have our sick ways, don't we?

What we take in

I have to guard what I see and read. A bad spiritual tone bugs me. I started reading a book by an artist/musician who believes in all kinds of weird spiritual stuff, and man, it's creeping me out.

Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world, but I can't keep reading, not even for research. She gets very detailed about her life as a recording artist, but she also get's very detailed about the weird spiritual crap she believes and does - it's nasty. So, bye-bye book.

I'd won't mention her name here, but don't buy her stuff, though.

As to my last post, I'm over it, but the issue still needs to be resolved. I was able to talk to a key person today about my situation and it helped.

I'm going to God with it. I just have to lean and depend more and more on Him.

But, back to the mystic artist. If she can get inspiration, songs, whatever from "spirit guides," I KNOW I can get inspiration, stories and whatever from THE SPIRIT of God.

I read bios of authors and artist, and many of them delve into the supernatural, just not Jesus supernatural. This is why I think Christian writers ought to be the best, the most anointed.

There's a creative flow coming from the heart of God. BUT, it has to be about his great Son, Jesus. It can't be about me getting rich and famous. No, and I don't want that. I want Jesus to be glorified.

Look at David and Solomon. What creative writers. David always found his hope in the Lord. And his writings have survived four thousand years.

In whatever you do, fix cars, build houses, manage a shop or team of people, ask God for His creativity to flow through you. For Jesus sake.

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.

Keeping up the schedule

You'll be happy to know (thrilled, right?) I'm keeping to my morning schedule. Up at 5:15 a.m. today for Spinning, then prayer, then my Spa morning.

I want to keep the morning work-out prayer routine. I like it and it gets essentials at the top of the day.

Downside. Fasting and exercise just do not go together. So, I'm going to have to pick another day to fast. Wednesday's, I think. And if we do a week, no exercise. I'm not talking about walking a couple of miles.

I'm talking intense cycling or aerobics. I come home, eat and don't fill full until afternoon.

So, God is way ahead of me on this one. I'm not worried.

Brainstormed my next chicklit for WestBow with a fellow author. She's a good brainstormer. The Lord has given me such good writing buddies. Love you all.

I'm off to spend some quiet time reading. I'm reading The Last Convertible by Alton Myrer. It's good - a coming of age story for Harvard grads at the beginning of WW2.

Grace and Peace to you all from God our Father through the Lord Jesus.

New Keyboard

I'm such a keyboard freak. You know, it's like the steering wheel of the computer. (I'm a steering wheel aficionado, too.)

Tony bought me a wireless keyboard in October, but it was rinky-dink. The keys stick and I had to pound to get words on a page.

I didn't complain until I typed on Tony's new Dell keyboard at church.

"That's it, I need a new keyboard."

"What's wrong with the one you have?" he asked.

I held up my hands. "Should fingers have muscles like this?"

He laughed. So, I showed him how the Shift and other keys stick, he agreed I needed a new one.

And today, this blog is typed with my NEW keyboard and mouse. Oh, yay. So smooth. So wonderful. My fingers are getting leaner by the second.

I'm having a fun week. Worked out every day so far. I'm really liking the morning plan. Prayer and work out first, then get to writing. Though I'm not writing this week, but I believe this will be a better schedule for me in the spring.

I'll miss my evening class friends, but I decided an adjustment was more necessary.

Isn't my husband the best? He is. Not just because of the keyboard but because he's Tony. So diligent, so faithful. So steady. So cute.

Blessings.

5:00 AM, 30 freezing degrees

Woke up at 5:00. A.M. Went to Spinning class. It was 30 freezing degrees. Spinning kicked my backside. But, I loved it! I was glad for the cold afterwards.

It's very rare to have the temperature drop to 30 some-odd degrees in Central Florida. But, I cannot complain. It's a real treat.

Sunday Evening Chill

It's cold here. The fire place is crackling and I'm reading a good book while snuggled under my Ohio State blanket (thanks, Joel) and watching PBS, Extreme Home Makeover and the Olympics.

I like to multi-task.

Our church recently changed names from New Covenant Fellowship to Church On The Rock - Melbourne. Today was our first Sunday as Church On The Rock. The offering was on budget.

We thought it a good start. ;)

Met with some local writers on Saturday at Barnes & Noble. We were there for four hours, but it was fun.

Friday night at Fire Dweller we prayed the opposite of the Whoas of Mathew 23. One kid prayed from verse 24 - "you strain a gnat and swallow a camel," Jesus said.

I wondered, "What does that really mean."

I started singing from my heart. "You beat the widow and the child, but forgive the rich man of his sins. You strain the gnat and swallow the camel."

Then, sang the opposite. "You forgive the widow and the child, and beat the rich man for his sins. No more swallowing the camel, no more straining the gnat."

I know, it sounds strange, but it really gave the room understanding - at least me. That's why praying and singing the scriptures is so incredible to our understanding.

It probably won't ever turn into a congregation song, but it worked for the night. We got it on CD, and it's pretty cool. If not for anyone but me. David led worship and did a dern good job!

Anyway, read Mathew 23 and pray the opposite of the "whoas."

Peace.

God, You're amazing

A friend of mine has been living on faith for awhile now. She's a single mom of sorts, home schooling a couple of kids.

For years now she's been driving an old beater car, not having enough to live on let alone buy a new car. But she put her hope in God. The One who commands the impossible. The One who can stretch a dollar into a hundred.

Last October, God told my friend to ask for a car. Then to say, "God's giving me a car." Now, hold on, this is not name it, claim it. This is obedience. She didn't decide on her own to say, "God's giving me a car." She merely proclaimed what He told her.

This past week someone gave her a beautiful 2002 Camery. Very nice. It's an amazing blessing. She did't manipulate it. Bemoan it. I didn't even know she was believing God for a car. She never said a word. (Well, talk about that later.)

But, God is the God of the impossible. Be faithful in the little. Drive that old beater. Work for no raise, but do it with your whole heart unto the Lord. He will provide! He will repay what you do in secret with a loud sound.

Lost In NashVegas Comp

Here's a trial run of the Lost In NashVegas cover. The compostion and colors will change some, but this is the conceptual idea - so far. :)

It's like being a child of divorce

I've finally figured out my feeling for what's happening in our nation. It's like watching your parents fight, on the verge of divorce.

Watching and listening to the Dems and Repubs fight over the war, the Surpreme Court nominees, the wire tapping, taxes, disasters it makes me just want to scream, "STOP IT! STOP IT!"

Why can't we get along? Why can't we love each other. We are ONE NATION - like a family. We will not stand if we continue to be so divided. I'm like the helpless child watching her parents bicker and fight, afraid for my future if they don't get along.

What will happen if they split. What can make them get along? I'm tired of the fighting. Tired of Hollywood.

Stand up for what's right and let it come down as it will. Please. Shut up and get along. We won't stand otherwise. We won't survive.

Slippers again

I wore my slippers to the STAR conference (Space Coast Author's of Romance.) For the PAN (published authors network) Pajama Party.

See www.faithchick.com to read about the interesting question I received.

Upping the anty

I'm upping the anty in my life. No more fooling around. I mean, really, how much longer can I fool myself that "tomorrow" I'm going to really go hard for God, really start loosing those pesky 25 lbs, etc.

You know the routine. It's time to belly up (no pun) and do what I want to do. Do what I know is right to do.

I'm also thinking about a serious house cleaning. I mean, really, what do I need with 25 DVDs? What value do they have in eternity? I have roughly 40 - 50 years left in this life and I want to make them count.

Simplify. Tis my motto.

It's human nature to cling. Cling to friends, cling to the past, cling to things. And, some times that's okay, but often it's clutter. Not only in our physical lives, but in our emotional and spiritual lives.

Declutter. Tis my motto.

I'm visiting my Mom for her birthday. We're having a nice time, but I need to head home tomorrow. Friday, my local RWA conference starts, and I'm hosting a Good Girls Corner for the PAN Pajama Party along with author, Mia Crews.

Mia and I had breakfast on Monday and had a great time. She's very classy and sweet.

But next Monday, I'm starting the simplify, declutter process. And, to think of a new chick lit idea.

Wow, it took me months to come up with the songwriter, Robin Rae McAfee. Prayers please. I have only months to create, write, edit, rewrite and submit. But my God is God of the impossible. Yay!

So, figure out what's clutter in your life. Busyness, a relationship, stuff, TV shows, gossip. Whatever. Let's be bold and declutter and simplify this month. Wow, what a great feeling it will be.

There should be NO excuse for not knowing Him more. People, we must be ready. We can't be offended when His judgements begin to be unleased. We can't risk our hearts growing cold.

Peace.

I finished!!!

Lost in NashVegas? 80,653 words.

Rachel? Exhausted.

Relief feeling to have the book done? PRICELESS!!!!

Fire Dweller Band and Florida Snow

Florid Snow. ;)


My Friday night Fire Dweller band. Awesome Dudes! Dan, Joseph, David (best dern guitar player) and me (average workship leader-singer, below average keyboarder.)

Flip flops

Today I wore flip flops to Publix. I was too embarrassed to wear slipppers.

I wore my slippers

I wore my slippers to 7-11 because it was too cold to wear flip-flops.

Vignettes - Mary at the Cross

She didn't recognize him. Bruised, bloody, beaten.

He stumbled under the weight of the thick splintered cross. Wind tunneled down the narrow street, billowing his blood soaked robe. Flesh hung and she could see the jagged edges of his skin and muscle. She could see through to the bone. Bile rose in her throat and tears streamed down her face without restraint. What had they done to him? Why?

The man she loved, whose feet she washed with her tears. They tried him as a common criminal. Battered and humiliated him beyond belief. For what? For loving them? For healing them?

The jeering and mocking of the crowd pounded in her head like the wild beating of drums and she wanted to scream. "Stop! Leave him alone!"

Isn't that how he defended her the night she washed his feet with her perfume? "Leave her alone," he commanded Judas and the others. "She's done this for my burial."

She knew then of his complete acceptance, his unending love. His eyes never left her face. No man ever looked at her the way he did. Pure. Without demand. Without lust. Now, oh now. She dared to look at him again. He'd fallen and his blood stained the cobblestones.

"Get up!" The soldier demanded, kicking his ribs.

Pain gripped his battered face. He tried to rise, but the cross tipped off his shoulder and he stumbled again.

Help him. Help him.

Then, there, his hand, reaching out to her. His eyes were swollen closed, but his hand, trembling, red and dripping, reaching. To her? His friend. My friend.

"You! Carry the cross." The soldier jerked a man from the crowd. He tripped and fell before him, but with such care, took up his cross. Blood fell on the man's clothes, his hands and feet.

She followed the procession to the hill. Sobbing, uncontrollable, helpless to stop them as they nailed his hands, his feet to the splintered tree. He flinched with each blow of the hammer, but not once, not once did he cry out.

Willing he went, she now knew. But why? He's innocent. So beautiful.

She stood at the foot of his cross, and with one last breath, he gazed down at her. There were others, crowding around, but she felt as if he saw her alone.

He struggled to see as the blood from the thorns seeping down. She dared, reaching up to touch his battered, pierced foot. He sighed when she touched him.

Any other time, any other man, she would not have recognized him. But there, in his eyes, she saw her true love. His lips parted. A smile. Did he smile? In the midst of such suffering, did he smile? At me?

Then she understood, with every part of her being, the purpose of this Man. More than the night she wiped his feet with her hair. More than when she looked at his face and he silenced her accusers. His purpose is complete and utter love, without condition.

Nothing could separate them now. Not even death.

Count Down to Deadline

Well, ten days until my first WestBow book is due. Tony's reading it now and well, it's 11:40 p.m. and he's well over his planned reading.

He said, "You got me hooked." And this from a sci fi reader. He's doing a great job of recognizing things the are inconsistant with Robin Rae McAfee's character. He's also recognizing when a scene doesn't end right or needs more punch. There's only been a few, but I'm glad he's cathcing those things. He's learning.

February is focus month. I have a to-do list.

Pray. Fast. Clean closets. Come up with next book idea. Visit friends. Work out. Of course, I'll have to time that with fasting, but I can do it. I'm looking forward to it.

I really like Lost In NashVegas. It's shaping up. I also did the line edits for Georgia On Her Mind last week and am really digging that book, still. Can you believe I started it two years ago!

Fire Dweller was awesome last night. We had 50 people. Javi lead worship and blew it up, of course. We had consistant prayers, too, and Javi and I go into some good antiphonal singing.

Just a continued seriousness in our hearts. I see Joshua 24:15 rising. "Choose this day whom you will serve."

The fence is going away. You will either be wholehearted for or so offended you'll be against.

Oh, one of my girls wrote an awesome blog! Check it out. http://cassiecampbell.blogspot.com.

Peace out.

End and Change

Coming home from youth church last night, I turned on the radio and it was tuned to an oldies station.

Isn't it amazing the power of music to transport our emotions to a different time, a different place?

The song, which I can't remember now, stirred my heart to remember my teenage years in Tallahassee. We had a lot of fun, working, going to school, rollerskating.

I think, "Dad was alive then." All my memories are sorta tainted now with his death. Mom is planning to sell the house this year and move to Versailles, Indiana with Grandma.

When she does, life in Tallahassee will end forever. There will be little reason to go there. Unfortunately, I've lost touch with many of my friends. It is the way of life, I suppose.

But, I'm excited for the future. I don't know if you all can feel it, but God is up to something huge.

A friend of mine had a dream about God opening up doors of evanglism (it was an incredible dream) but I don't have permission to share it here. But, I'll tell you, the dream indicates change in the earth of Biblical proportions. His wife was telling me the dream and though the details seemed simple, I said, "Oh wow, this is what we've been reading about in scripture for 2000 years." We both got chills.

Anyway, after that I cried and cried cause my friends will also be moving as part of what God is doing in their lives. She was my first "daughter" and I'll miss her.

But people, get ready, Jesus is coming. Forget what lies behind, press forward to what lies ahead. It's the upward call of God in Christ.

Special K Diet

Is Special K serious? Eat 2 bowls of their cereal twice a day for two weeks and lose six pounds? Twenty-eight bowls of Special K?

I don't know what kind of whacky diet they're trying to pass on the American public, but hey, I bought a box. Stay tuned...

Tony filled in at the Vineyard this morning for Jim Bartholomew. We always like going up there. A great church.

Came home, watched the Steelers beat the Colts, then met the Fire Dweller leaders for dinner at.... (drum roll) Carrabbas. I've eaten there five times in the last three months. I'm SO over it. But, I loved the company. We had a great time with Javi and Brenda, Don and Wendy. Missed you Matt and Dee.

Friday night I met with Lynn Evans for new photos. She did a great job. I don't have the pictures yet, but we previewed them on her 8 megapixel SLR, and there were some really nice ones. She's great at posing and capturing the essence of her subject.

Writing is going well. I want to make some subtle changes and add some layers, but the time is winding down and I'm very, very tight on getting it critiqued. I wish I could write differently so that I had time for critiquers, but I don't.

I figured out I write like I think. Oh, duh, Rachel. Here's what I mean. I may be in a conversation or meeting, and after the fact, I go away thinking and then come up with a great solution, reply or answer. I do the same with writing. I write a scene or dialog and then later while exercising or taking a bath or cleaning, I'll come up with elements to enhance the scene. So, it takes me awhile to get a manuscript ready for critique.

So, all is well. It's cold tonight but we got home too late to worry with building a fire.

I'm reading Tracey Bateman's "Color Of The Soul." Very awesome!

Power of Agreement

Amos 3:3 poses this question: how can any two walk together unless they have agreed?

Do you find yourself walking in agreement with lies, negativity, self-pity, fear, depression? So much of our emotional battle on a day to day basis is our flesh and being in a world where the prince of the air, the devil, lies about us day and night. His lies are every where and so easy to agree with.

Me, last night: No one likes me. My writing career is over. Surely I've offended too many people. Every one is ignoring me. I email people, they don't email me back.

Blah, blah. Oh, such a sad, sad song. It was so bad I went to Tony after the first worship set and said, "Dude, I feel like I'm going to freak out." I felt condemnation like chains.

He prayed for me and I felt better. Then when I came home, I said, that's it. "GET OFF!" Did some warfare and felt a whole lot better.

We forget our war is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities of darkness in heavenly places. Read Ephesians 6.

Wage war. Do not agree with the lies of the enemy, even if you physically feel sick or panicked, fight the good fight.

I remember one time, years ago, I stood in the back of the sanctuary and oh, self pity was standing there with me, yaking in my ear. I nodded my head in agreement, my heart awakening to the sorrow of my plight. Which was, what, I don't know. Nothing. I have no real plight.

So, in walked one of our twenty-something young ladies, a single mom, really hard family life. She'd made some really bad decisions and was struggling. While I can't compare myself, I knew in that instant I would never want to trade places with this young woman (which Jesus did, btw) and I told self-pity to take a hike. "The Lord rebuke you."

I had to work at it for a few minutes, but I physically felt different when it finally left.

Who are you agreeing with, what voices real or imagined? If you are not agreeing with the Word of God, you're agreeing with you soul or the devil. Agree with God. He sent Jesus to pay an enormously huge, costly, expensive price for you. You're an heir. A princess, a prince, a ruler in your Father's house. And there's so much more where that came from. We're seeing the tip of the iceberg.

You know what? There's a tip to God's iceberg, and to the devil's. One lifts you up and gives life. That other, slowly kills you emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Choose this day whom you will serve.

Go out in joy! Be lead with Peace!

Congratulations to Margo for winning Mary's book, Made Of Honor!!!

Made of Honor Blog Tour 2

Hi all,

Realized my comment feature was, er, is having trouble. Add comments here or email me at rachel@rachelhauck.com to win Made of Honor by Marilynn Griffith.

Blessings!

Made of Honor Blog Tour

Marilynn Griffith is mom to a tribe of kids, wife to a very handsome deacon and blessed to be friends with some wonderful writers. She loves to read, write, speak and all things communication related.

She's the person at the family gatherings who is always either telling a story or listening to one! Before realizing she was a writer, life was a bit confusing. She tried everything from secretary to math tutor (that actually worked out pretty well). These days it's family, friends and church activities that keep Mary busy when she's not writing. And blogging.

Keep reading and find out more about Mary's book, Made of Honor. Sign my guest book for a drawing for a free book!

RH: Tell us about your current book?
MG: Dana Rose pledges to say "I won't" the next time she's asked to be in a wedding. Her weak will has turned her closet into cemetery for satin gowns from periwinkle to Pepto pink. After ten stints as bridesmaid, Dana thinks she's seen it all. Then she's fired, forced to turn her hobby into a business and faced with her prodigal brother, back-stabbing sis and Mr. Practically Perfect, the ex who not only married someone else, but opened the business of her dreams—across the street. There's that Maid of Honor thing too… And this time she can't say no. Will wedding #11 show Dana what's she's really made of?

RH: What inspired this story?
MG: I used to own a seasonal bath and body business. Steeple Hill rejected my first manuscript but they liked my voice. They asked my agent about me doing a chick lit. I didn't know what that was exactly, but the prospect of writing in first person sounded interesting, so I tried it and loved it. I also have had a lot of wonderful single friends over the years.

RH: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?
MG: I'd love for readers of MADE OF HONOR to come away from the book knowing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God delights in them and loves them in an intimate way, despite whatever mess riddles their pasts. Christ stands waiting to embrace them as His bride.

RH: How do you balance writing with your "every day life?"
MG: I don't. LOL Really. I've long since given God that job. He called me to be a wife and mother and a writer. Sometimes (like a deadline week) that doesn't always look like I think it should, but God graced me with the family I was supposed to have. I try to keep the Word first place and keep the lines of communication open so that when things get off balance (too much work, not enough work) we can talk about it. When I try to stop writing to be Super Mom, my kids are like,"Go write something. You're cranky!"

RH: As a Christian Fiction Writer , what is the spiritual truth your book carries thematically?
MG: MADE OF HONOR is about seeing what you're really made of and knowing that God loves you anyway. This book is about a woman discovering that everyone, including herself, isn't quite what she thought and realizing that God still loves them all. Dana knows how to love, but she has to learn how to let her self be loved...both by God and the other people in her life.

RH: If someone said, "What blurb could I put on a t-shirt that would encapsulate the feel and tone and plot of your novel?"--how would you respond?
MG: MADE OF HONOR--Girlfriends, God and all the giggles in between!

RH: What is the one, all-encompassing, totally-vindicated secret of good writing that you made sure to employ in writing MADE OF HONOR?
MG: Secret? I don't know any. When you discover one let me know! LOL I just fell in love with the characters and tried to fall deeper in love with Jesus. Somewhere along the way, we got a book.

RH: Who are your three favorite writers, and will you be sending them copies of MADE OF HONOR?
MG: Well, many of those folks are dead and probably wouldn't have been interested, but there are many writers who I respect who endorsed the book like Sharon Ewell Foster, Lisa Samson and Kristin Billerbeck.

RH: How can readers learn more about your books and get in contact with you?

MG: I can be contacted at marilynngriffith@gmail.com or through comments at my website http://www.marilynngriffith.com/.

Add a comment to win a free Made of Honor. All the names will be put in a hat and drawn for the winner.

Eclectic Blog

First I had to look up eclectic. Assorted is a synonym, so it works. I thought so.

Second, fun day. It's absolutely beautiful here. Sixty-one degrees on a windy, blue sky, sunny day. I met with my old Harris co-workers (they are now MediaSpan Software) because Richard is retiring - again. He retired from Harris four or five years ago, missed us and came back.

I first met Richard in '87 or '88 at a Connecticut newpaper. He was the calm, cool, production manager, I was the beautiful and gracious classified system installer and trainer who had no clue what she was doing. Just kidding. I knew what I was doing. Right, Teresa? Anway, Richard was then and is now one of the kindest men I've ever known. God's speed, Richard.

During lunch I caught up on all the news with Chuck, Dave, Hyer, Jim, Steve, et al. I didn't get to talk to Juli or Darryl or Jo or Ralph, Steve, Roy, Nancy, Kathy and Ann, but it was wonderful to see them. Of all the things I could say about Harris Publishing, this will always be true, my co-workers were the best. I miss them still.

Went shopping after that for a leather jacket, but only went to Macy's and they didn't have anything. Came home. Took a nap.

I didn't get any editing done, but I worked so long yesterday I needed a think day. Will work tomorrow.

I've been listening to Mike Bickle's series on the forerunner and the fasted lifestyle. Fasting of our time, food and money. He talks about how disruptive it is to give ourselves to God in a radical way. We are living in a prophetic time, we are a prophetic generation, many believe the generation before the Lord's return, and there is a call to radical, extravagant devotion to Jesus.

If we say Yes, we are blessed in the deeper things of God during this life and the one to come. If we say No and lock ourselves behind our safe religious traditions, we risk our hearts growing cold to the deeper things of God. We don't separate ourselves from His love, but we close the door to a greater awakening and walking in deeper revelation. Don't know about you guys, but I want a deeper revelation. The same ole same ole doesn't work any more.

But the radical, fasted lifestyle messes with our worlds. It's disruptive. It means eating less, spending less, sleeping less so we can get up or stay up for prayer. Worse, our pursuit disrupts the lives of those around us - our friends and familes.

"What are you doing? Giving thirty percent. You're being religious." Or "You're fasting? But this is a party." Or, "We don't need to sit around praying, we need to get out there and do something."

That last one's my favorite. One, I've never been in a crowded prayer meeting, have you? Well, not unless I'm at a conference.

In Matthew 11:19, Jesus is preaching and reminding the people the religious leaders said John the Baptist had a demon, and they accused Jesus of being a glutton and drunkard. Bible believing, Bible preaching people are going to be offended at the radical lifestyle and they are going to call us crazy, demonized, drunkards and all sorts of things. Our reputations will be ruin, perhaps.

Jesus tells us we will be reviled because He was reviled. But, we will have what can't be taken a way - a knowledge of the Beautiful man. An experience in the pleasures of God, IN THIS LIFE. And I believe, walking in divine power and authority.

I've concluded: Prayer is a must. Not bless Aunt Betty prayers, thought Lord, please bless Aunt Betty, but intercession. We cannot go on without it. We must pray the Word, believe the Word. We must dialog with God using His own words. It deepens our own understanding, our own revelation.

Giving, praying, fasting unlocks our hearts! Even our smallest effort. The writer of Hebrews understood this and challenges us. "Oh my stars, you guys still want milk? You could be eating steak by now. (Rachel Hauck translation.)

Are you struggling in your finances? GIVE! Are you succumbing to the same old sin over and over? FAST! Are you board with church and the current state of "her" affairs? PRAY!

Lookit, I'm on a journey to make this real in my heart and mind. I've made small steps. But I'm not looking to write a blog like this when I'm fifty. I want to be like Anna. And when I'm eighty, I want to walk with a renewed mind and heart under the anointing of the Holy Ghost living a life hidden in Jesus.

But see, that's another thing. This life is hidden. People may never, ever know how much you pray, give or fast. People may never recognize what a great writer I am (wink) but I have to settle in my heart I'm writing for an audience of one. It is my reasonable and exceptable service.

So, there's my eclectic blog. Peace out.

Lessons from Texas

During last nights Rose Bowl for the National Title, Texas was down to USC going into the fourth quarter. But Vince Young, the Texas quaterback would not give up. With under a minute in the game, down 33 to 38, he ran in for a touchdown, then for a 2 point conversion. Texas won 41 to 38.

The quarterback for USC, Matt Leinart, said, "I still think we're a better football team, they just made the plays in the end."

Isn't that what makes a better football team? They make the plays in the end? And I do mean end. Texas was loosing by two touch downs with 6 minutes left in the game. And until the last 2 minutes, USC scored every possession.

So, what's the lesson? NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!

I actually have so many thoughts about writing, friends and being violent about the things that steal my affection from Jesus I can't actually put them in cohesive words. Some, I can't post here 'cause it's personal, but if you find one of my other blogs, you might find it there. Haha.

I think I'm in a place where the Lord is weaning me off people for some things and drawing me closer to Him. After all, I've only been praying to be more abandoned and whole hearted for about five years now.

Well, I'm on a tight deadline this month. So, better get to writing. I think I have a Fire Dweller leadership meeting this afternoon and I'd really like to go to Spinning, but I don't think I'll have time. This month is about deadlines, deadlines, deadlines.

I lead worship last night, and will again on Friday, Sunday and next Wed. Man, the band sounded awesome last night! We did Misty Edward's new song, Favorite One. It was awesome, but it's a soaker song. We had to sing it through a dozen times before this deep anointing came.

Okay, to work.

A sigh of relief

Ohio State won the Fiest Bowl. Beat Notre Dame 34 to 20. Shew. I can breathe easy now. Matt and Jodi came over to watch with us.

Yesterday was fun... sorta family day. We had planned lunch with a new couple in church Matthew and Elisa, and when I showed up at church, Reuben and Allison Maher were there.

So, after a hearty lunch and good fellowship with Matthew and Elisa (and me winning Apples to Apples again, thank you) we got together with the Maher's and Ramlall's. Reuben and Allison's daughter, Kaityn, turns two in a few days, so we went to dinner at Carabbas then back to Grandpa and Grandma Ramlall's for cake and balloons. Kaitlyn is very cute and very smart. We enjoyed hanging out with every one.

Today I did a few chores and edited some before the game. Working on getting Lost in Nashvegas done, done.

Also, walked and had a prayer time, read my Bible. Working on keeping up with regular times with the Lord so that my heart is awakened. I was praying and reading out of Isaiah 1. Soon I hope to get my keyboard back from Lynn Coleman so I can start singing scripture. Love to do that.

Blessings!