Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The trumpet!
Yesterday morning I was reading in the Old Testament, and I read about the trumpet that the Israelites were to blow during any move, celebration, stopping point, or war. Each occasion could be recognized by the difference in the different tune. It occurred to me that when Jesus returns, a trumpet will blow. the dead in CHrist will rise, and those that remain will meet Him in the air. Which tune will be heard? We will all be moving, and it will be a great celebration. I can't wait to hear the blow of the trumpet! What a day that will be!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Tara's Forgotten Son... unforgotten
Tara's Forgotten Son was published a little over a year ago. Not long after it was published, the lawyers who own the copyright for Gone With the Wind asked me to remove the book from the publishing house and from retailers. I have avoided writing about this because it was terribly upsetting, frustrating, and embarrasing.
In the first place, I researched copyright laws, and as I understood the law, I used Gone With the Wind under the fair use policy. In no way did I copy any words from GWTW. I embellished characters, continuing the story that the book left untold.
I have thought about retelling the story without using any characters from GWTW, and even changing the location. However, Wade would not be authentic without the setting and events that occurred during his young life. Finally, I have not written anything since because of the frustration of the situation.
If I had completely checked the publisher, I would have known that PublishAmerica disguises themselves as a traditional publisher when in all actuality, it is a self publishing firm.
People are still asking me about the book. Unfortunately, I have to say that Tara's Forgotten Son should be forgotten because as far as I can see, it will never be placed on a retailer's shelf.
In the first place, I researched copyright laws, and as I understood the law, I used Gone With the Wind under the fair use policy. In no way did I copy any words from GWTW. I embellished characters, continuing the story that the book left untold.
I have thought about retelling the story without using any characters from GWTW, and even changing the location. However, Wade would not be authentic without the setting and events that occurred during his young life. Finally, I have not written anything since because of the frustration of the situation.
If I had completely checked the publisher, I would have known that PublishAmerica disguises themselves as a traditional publisher when in all actuality, it is a self publishing firm.
People are still asking me about the book. Unfortunately, I have to say that Tara's Forgotten Son should be forgotten because as far as I can see, it will never be placed on a retailer's shelf.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A Day in Court
[We] are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that comes through Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24 (NIV)
I looked around the courtroom from the witness stand, fully aware of the awesome presence of the judge, my counselor, and my mediator. I trembled with fear, understanding the consequence of this moment. Although I had hoped for plenty of witnesses to help me plead my case, I saw that the courtroom was empty. There was no one to help me. I was standing on my own.
As the counselor approached the witness stand, He smiled at me, knowing my fear and discomfort. Gently prodding me, He took my hand and reminded me of things I had done. In my mind, I could see my life, images of words I had said and people I had hurt. Pieces of time were caught in my memory as I saw a trail of broken hearts in the path I had taken. I never knew. I never stopped to look at the things I had done, thinking that my actions only affected me. Slowly the tears streamed down my face, and sorrow swept over me as I realized that I was guilty.
Suddenly, a loud voice filled the courtroom. “Are these accusations true?” the judge questioned.
I could not turn to face him. Shame washed over me as I hung my head and whispered, “Yes.” I knew that I had no defense. I could not talk my way out of this situation, but in my heart I knew I had to face the coming wrath. I took a deep breath and looked at my mediator. “I did these things, and I’m truly sorry. Some actions I knew were wrong, and I did them anyway. Some were just decisions made in haste, but if I had the opportunity I would do them differently. All I can do is plead for mercy.”
The comforter stayed beside me, holding my hand as the mediator approached the bench. I watched them converse for just a moment, knowing that my fate was sealed.
The gavel rang as the judge prepared to hand down the verdict. I held my breath, expectantly. “Not guilty.” The loud voice declared the judgment triumphantly.
My eyes grew wide as I stared at the judge then my helpers in turn. My voice squeaked, “How could this be?”
The mediator walked toward me with His arms open. “I nailed your sins to the cross long ago. You are set free. You have been given a new life.”
“What do I do now?”
He smiled at me and replied, “Live for Me.”
I looked around the courtroom from the witness stand, fully aware of the awesome presence of the judge, my counselor, and my mediator. I trembled with fear, understanding the consequence of this moment. Although I had hoped for plenty of witnesses to help me plead my case, I saw that the courtroom was empty. There was no one to help me. I was standing on my own.
As the counselor approached the witness stand, He smiled at me, knowing my fear and discomfort. Gently prodding me, He took my hand and reminded me of things I had done. In my mind, I could see my life, images of words I had said and people I had hurt. Pieces of time were caught in my memory as I saw a trail of broken hearts in the path I had taken. I never knew. I never stopped to look at the things I had done, thinking that my actions only affected me. Slowly the tears streamed down my face, and sorrow swept over me as I realized that I was guilty.
Suddenly, a loud voice filled the courtroom. “Are these accusations true?” the judge questioned.
I could not turn to face him. Shame washed over me as I hung my head and whispered, “Yes.” I knew that I had no defense. I could not talk my way out of this situation, but in my heart I knew I had to face the coming wrath. I took a deep breath and looked at my mediator. “I did these things, and I’m truly sorry. Some actions I knew were wrong, and I did them anyway. Some were just decisions made in haste, but if I had the opportunity I would do them differently. All I can do is plead for mercy.”
The comforter stayed beside me, holding my hand as the mediator approached the bench. I watched them converse for just a moment, knowing that my fate was sealed.
The gavel rang as the judge prepared to hand down the verdict. I held my breath, expectantly. “Not guilty.” The loud voice declared the judgment triumphantly.
My eyes grew wide as I stared at the judge then my helpers in turn. My voice squeaked, “How could this be?”
The mediator walked toward me with His arms open. “I nailed your sins to the cross long ago. You are set free. You have been given a new life.”
“What do I do now?”
He smiled at me and replied, “Live for Me.”
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Cartoons
Have you watched any cartoons lately? I'm not talking about the normal, slapstick comedy, but the dramatic cartoons with supernatural heroes.
At one time, our heroes were honest people who wanted the best for humanity like Superman. I saw a part of one today that made me think...
It seems as if the purpose is to blur the line between good and evil. The heroes were mutants with deep voices, forced to secrecy because of their dark powers. kind of scary.
At one time, our heroes were honest people who wanted the best for humanity like Superman. I saw a part of one today that made me think...
It seems as if the purpose is to blur the line between good and evil. The heroes were mutants with deep voices, forced to secrecy because of their dark powers. kind of scary.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A New Word
Over the past few months I have started delving deeply into the bible. When I began, I was looking specifically for things I should do and not do. I wanted to find a formula for living that would guarantee a better life. I wanted rules that would guide me.
I have to admit that I am legalistic by nature. I like rules, making rules, and following rules. Rules create order, and I like order.
However, as I have studied, I have found some wonderful things that have to be shared. I have found such freedom from rules and in return, an indescribable peace. I hope that as I share the things that I have learned, whoever is reading this will benefit and find their own peace, inspired by the Word of God.
I have to admit that I am legalistic by nature. I like rules, making rules, and following rules. Rules create order, and I like order.
However, as I have studied, I have found some wonderful things that have to be shared. I have found such freedom from rules and in return, an indescribable peace. I hope that as I share the things that I have learned, whoever is reading this will benefit and find their own peace, inspired by the Word of God.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
4 Star Review!
January Reviews
larger image Tara's Forgotten Son
Author: Lana Mowdy
Wade Hampton Hamilton is the unsung hero in a classic American novel, A Spin off of “Gone with the Wind”. A child conceived at the start of civil anguish, he fights to defeat the ordeal of military, desertion, and near malnourishment. When his mother takes him to Tara, he discovers seclusion, but he is soon propelled into adulthood when he shelters his love Emily from her violent father. As he wrestles to keep her from neglect, he combats the forces of character in the uncultivated West, the trickery of a disdained female, and his passionate yearning to preserve his honor. Bearing the blemish of defeat and fabrication, he realizes his skill to be liberated from the embrace of his plagued history, his scheming mother, and the forces of injustice that toil alongside him. Still, he strives for tranquility, absolution, and the vigor to live.
Great Read!
ISBN: 1-60441-556-8
Reviewer: Tabitha
larger image Tara's Forgotten Son
Author: Lana Mowdy
Wade Hampton Hamilton is the unsung hero in a classic American novel, A Spin off of “Gone with the Wind”. A child conceived at the start of civil anguish, he fights to defeat the ordeal of military, desertion, and near malnourishment. When his mother takes him to Tara, he discovers seclusion, but he is soon propelled into adulthood when he shelters his love Emily from her violent father. As he wrestles to keep her from neglect, he combats the forces of character in the uncultivated West, the trickery of a disdained female, and his passionate yearning to preserve his honor. Bearing the blemish of defeat and fabrication, he realizes his skill to be liberated from the embrace of his plagued history, his scheming mother, and the forces of injustice that toil alongside him. Still, he strives for tranquility, absolution, and the vigor to live.
Great Read!
ISBN: 1-60441-556-8
Reviewer: Tabitha
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