Taste and See...

Last week our family celebrated something special: our grandson's first birthday. First birthdays are big deals for most families, and Cole's was no exception. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, great-grandparents, and various others gathered to wish our "roly-poly-Coly" a happy birthday and watch him dig into his very first birthday cake.

I'm sure nearly everyone has photo album pages of frosting-covered one-year-olds. (I had the foresight to strip daughters two and three down to their diapers before setting them loose on their cakes after daughter one's little birthday dress suffered irremovable colored-icing stains. *sigh*) The first birthday is usually the first time we give a child free rein to get as messy as he/she wants. We did it with our daughters, and then the grandkids came along, and on each first birthday party, the camera clicked and laughter rang and memories were made.

Well, Cole is grandson number five, so after watching three daughters and four grandsons nose-dive (with grandson number three, that was literally) into their first birthday cakes, I had great expectations for this little guy. But lo and behold, Cole's reaction to his cake was the direct opposite of those who'd celebrated before him. His mommy put the cake in front of him, we all sang, then she encouraged, "Go ahead, Cole. Eat it." He tentatively placed one finger in the icing. Carried it to his mouth. But before he tasted it, he shook his head, made a terrible scowl, and pushed the cake away.

To our amusement and confusion, Cole repeatedly pushed the cake away, slapped it, smeared frosting everywhere....but refused to put so much as a morsel in his mouth. His mommy assured him, "It'll be good, Cole," but he wasn't trusting it. He'd never seen such a thing before, and that made it suspect. He was willing to play with it, but taste it? Huh-uh.

We laughed just as hard at his puzzling antics as we had the other grandkids' enthusiastic consumption of their little cakes, but even so it was a tad disappointing. Watching hesitance isn't as fun as witnessing delightful exploration. I'm convinced if Cole would have given the cake a tiny taste, he would have discovered it was sweet on his tongue. But he wouldn't try, despite his mommy's assurances that he'd like it.

While watching Cole, a Bible verse from Psalm 34 (beginning of verse 8) ran through my head: "Taste and see that the LORD is good." I wonder if sometimes we respond to God in a similar fashion. He brings things into our lives--new opportunities, people who challenge us, chances to grow--and we push them aside with the idea that it's too messy, too inconvenient, too frightening to go where He leads. I know for many years I held back from going where God directed out of a fear of failure. How my refusal must have made God's heart ache. I can imagine Him thinking, "Kim, I have something so special waiting for you. Just taste. Trust Me..." What pleasures did I deny myself out of my misguided sense of inferiority? More importantly, how many opportunities to glorify Him did I waste?

James 1:17 tells us, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Our God is unchanging--always loving, full of compassion, the maker of good plans for His children. Whatever He offers us is for our good and potentially His glory...but we have to be willing to embrace the gift, employ the gift. When we do, we show that we trust the Giver.

I know Cole loves and trusts his mommy. His apprehension in the face of that cake really had more to do with the strange food than the one who offered it to him, but that didn't keep his mommy from feeling disappointed. She'd planned something good and special for her "little man," and he refused it. I hope I can keep from disappointing my Father-God by refusing to sample the new experiences He brings into my life. I want my life--and all of my actions--to reflect total trust in the God who loves me.

Is God holding out something new and different for you to sample? Are you trapped in hesitation, finger hovering but not quite connecting? Go ahead and plunge in. Initially, it might be sticky, but in the end you'll discover a sweet goodness that will bring you pleasure. After all, our Father gives GOOD gifts. So trust Him--taste and see!

God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

Directions please!

Our daughter is driving from Florida to our home in Kansas and then on to visit her brother in Phoenix before heading on to California. Before she prepared to depart, I had to issue my motherly advice. You need to go to AAA and get TripTiks so you’re certain of the best route. She wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but she acquiesced. Fortunately, our daughter can read a map. My family is quick to inform anyone who will listen that I can not read a map. They will also tell you that I have absolutely NO sense of direction. Many years ago it became a Miller Family Road-Rule that ‘if Mom says go left, then we should definitely go right.’ Even dear friends like Tracie will agree that if you want to reach your destination, it’s best to keep me away from the steering wheel.

It was for this very reason that my husband purchased a GPS as a birthday gift a couple years ago. I was excited, certain it was a grand gift for someone who can get lost in a city she’s lived in for over ten years. So, with GPS mounted in my car and feeling overconfident, I headed off to Wichita where I would spend the night with a girlfriend and go to a book signing the next day. My husband had preloaded my friend’s address and the GPS worked like a charm.

Far in advance, the annoying little GPS voice told me when to turn. She also chided me each time I pulled into the service station for gasoline or stopped for a cup of coffee. However, I made it without a hitch and was pleased with my new gadget. I no longer needed to worry about the right direction—I had Edna (that’s what I named her) to direct me.

The problem arose when I departed the bookstore. I punched in the information telling Edna where I wanted to go, but the changes wouldn’t hold. You see, I’m no better using gadgets than I am following roadmaps, or figuring out east from west. I was already late and due at another book signing in Topeka. After a half hour of messing with Edna, I shut her off and headed out on my own. Need I say I was very late arriving in Topeka? Need I say Edna and I continue in a love-hate relationship to this day? I’m impatient with her when she doesn’t snap to attention when I’m ready to roll!

This probably never happens to you, but sometimes I find myself acting the same way with God. I want directions and I want them right now—I’m ready to roll. I want Him to set my feet on the proper route, but I’m not willing to take time to listen. Instead, I hurry down a road I’m certain is the right one. It’s not until later that I discover I’m even more lost than I was before. And then what happens? I end up having to turn around, kneel down, and wait for Him to give me the directions that will set me on the right path.

P.S. If you ever see this road sign, you’ve made a wrong turn—unless, of course, you’re traveling in Australia.

May you take time to listen as you journey with Him. ~Judy

Trust and Trifles

One of the characters in the book I'm writing right now is a doctor. The year is 1877 and I've had (and am still having) a marvelous time researching all that we didn't know back then. 

It never cease to amaze me--especially as I'm blazing down the highway at 70MPH in my air conditioned vehicle, with Jack (our silky terrier) beside me staring comfortably out the window, with my iPod playing, with my cell phone ringing as I tap my headset to talk to someone who lives hundreds of miles away, oh, and don't forget the Caramel Iced Coffee nestled safely in a cup holder--just how much has changed in the past one hundred years alone.

My dear father-in-law, Fred Alexander (pictured left, who is a wonderful support to me in my writing and who has donned his editor's cap to read most of my books before publication), is visiting us and we've had some great conversations about years past. 

As we were eating lunch together today, we were chatting about relatives who were born in the early nineteen hundreds and who lived to be nearly one hundred years of age, and what enormous changes they witnessed during their lifetimes.

I was reminded of the story my dad tells of my grandparents and the first car they owned. Every time they came to a hill, my grandmother insisted that my grandfather stop because she was afraid the car wouldn't make it uphill without rolling backwards, and that it also wouldn't make it safely downhill because the brakes might fail. So she insisted Pa stop and let her and the kids get out, then she and the kids would walk up and down the hill and join him again once the car was on level ground.

How often do I do this very same thing with God? 

I'm trusting to the max when life is good and things are going fine. That's easy. But it's so much harder to trust when life throws me a curve. Or when I petition God but He doesn't respond as I've begged Him countless times to do. Or, when He's suddenly silent. Or when I'm in that "waiting room." Cruising along on level ground is easy. It's the peaks and valleys where our faith is really tested. 

A dear friend sent me this scripture from I Peter 1 last week, and I've been dwelling on it ever since:

 ³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, ⁵who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

 

Recent days have found me filled with a "glorious joy." Am I always smiling and "up?" Um...no. But that's not what true joy is all about. True joy is about having peace in the midst of the storm, not the absence of wind and rain. It's about possessing a living hope, an eternal inheritance, and being shielded by God.

Are you in a tight spot in your life right now? If you are, and you're questioning what's over that next hill or you're afraid of what's waiting at the bottom, hold on to God for all you're worth. And stay in the car! Wherever Jesus is taking you--no matter how much refining must be done along the way--it's better than walking the road alone.

One last thing--

I happened upon a fun website today (Christy Jordan's Southern Plate) and found a dessert that looked yummy. So, I tried it! A Strawberry Trifle (or Strawberry Punch Bowl Cake as they're sometimes called here in the South). I snapped a picture of mine below. If you have a craving for strawberries, this is a great way to satisfy that yearning. It's easy and delicious! Summertime in a bowl! Thanks, Christy!

Igbok,

Tammy

Crazy Busy Dreams

I had a crazy Monday morning that started with my elderly mom opening the door at 6:50 and setting off the house alarm. Talk about getting my heart pumping. Thank God I was out of the shower by that time or I might not have heard the alarm and might have still been "sudsing" when the police arrived. Yikes! Instead, I was able to dash out of my bathroom, wrapped in my towel, and punch in the alarm code and answer the alarm company when their voice came over the speaker, "Is there an emergency?"

Anyway, back to the real subject of this post. Dreams. I'm someone who goes in cycles, night after night of dreams that I remember when I awaken (and that are similar in content, sometimes even exactly the same dream) and then periods, sometimes many months, when I don't remember dreaming at all.

Lately I've been in the remembering phase, dreaming just before I wake up. The cycle I'm in now are of nonsensical dreams, and all of them have me rushing about, trying to accomplish something. I don't really remember what. Different things every night. Mostly though, I'm just busy, busy, busy. And when I awaken, I feel exhausted by all the rushing and running I've done in my sleep.

I don't think those dreams take a PhD to analyze. Do you? Could it be that my life at present has me feeling like a chicken running around with its head cut off? LOL!

My favorite dreams? you ask. Well, you didn't ask but I'm going to tell you anyway. Twice in my life I have dreamed what would become the opening scenes to future books. One was a gothic-style romance that I wrote during my secular career, and one became the opening scene for my first contemporary women's fiction for the Christian market. Two out of sixty-two. That works out to only about 3% of my novels coming to me in dreams. Sigh... I'd take them all that way if I could get them.

Okay, time to get back to running around like that proverbial headless chicken. Wonder what I'll dream tonight?

~robin

Just for Fun

I have about a zillion things on my plate this week and I'm meeting myself coming and going. So instead of writing something deep in thought, I thought I'd just have a moment of fun.

Today is April 24th and here are some of the highlights of this day over the years. So here goes.

1704 Boston News-Letter, 1st successful newspaper in US, formed
1800 Library of Congress established


1825 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is incorporated

1833 Patent granted for 1st soda fountain
1888 Eastman Kodak formed




1898 Spain declares war on United States (Spanish-American War)
1909 Harry Hillman & Lawson Robertson run 100m 3-legged race in 11 seconds
1929 1st non-stop England to India flight takes-off
1953 Winston Churchill knighted by Queen Elizabeth II




1962 MIT sends TV signal by satellite for 1st time: CA to MA
1969 Paul McCartney says there is no truth to rumors he is dead
1995 Dow Jones Index hits record 4303.98

And last but not least:
April 24th is the 114th day of year with 251 days left. 244 shopping days until Christmas.

Enjoy the day. This is absolutely the only April 24, 2009 you will ever get. Do something special with it.
Tracie

Unanswered Questions

In January of this year, my soul sister and I went on the K-LOVE (radio station) Friends and Family Cruise. Also on board were several Christian music artists, and I was particularly excited about a “mini reunion tour” by a group called 4HIM. (That's us on the left, hovering over the 4HIM guys like a couple of groupies after they'd kindly penned a birthday greeting to me.) At their concert, they launched into a song called, “Why?” I nudged my soul sister and whispered, “This could be my theme song.”

You see, I’ve always been a questioner. My poor daddy had to learn patience early because as soon as I learned to talk (and my mom says I was born talking), I started asking questions. Why this? Why that? Why? Why? Why? And even though I’m no longer a little girl trailing on Daddy’s heels, I tend to tug at my Father-God’s sleeve and ask, “Why, God? I wanna know why…”

Why do children have to suffer? Why is her mother so ill? Why did he lose his job? Why did her sickness return? Why did he betray his family that way? Why did their son die? Especially when we’ve prayed so diligently for You to move in another way, why did You choose that direction? The questions can nearly turn me inside-out as I seek the answer to things that, from our human, finite viewpoint, really don’t have an answer. Life happens, and some parts of life just aren’t warm and fuzzy.

The thing is, I trust God. I gave Him my heart when I was eight years old. I don’t doubt His presence. I know He loves me. But even so, I struggle with the “why” of things. Time often provides an answer for some of the “why” questions. You get a little farther down the road, glance back, and suddenly realization dawns--“Ah, that’s what that was all about…” and then you’re grateful for the experience. But when you’re in the middle of the road, at the height of the conflict and pain, it’s hard to be grateful.

Robin mentioned reading the Bible from different translations. Recently, I’ve begun reading in my “favorite” Bible--the one all marked and underlined--and then exploring other translations of verses that particularly spoke to me. Look at these words from Hosea 6 (1-3) of The Message translation:

“Come on, let’s go back to God. He hurt us, but he’ll heal us. He hit us hard, but he'll put us right again. In a couple of days we'll feel better. By the third day he'll have made us brand-new, alive and on our feet, fit to face him. We’re ready to study God, eager for God-knowledge. As sure as dawn breaks, so sure is his daily arrival. He comes as rain comes, as spring rain refreshing the ground.”

Sometimes life hits us hard, but one day--one glorious day!--we’ll be brand-new…we’ll feel better. If we continue to grow in our God-knowledge, then the final assurance from that scripture becomes as natural as breathing: we know God will refresh us as surely as the spring rain refreshes the ground.

The song I mentioned earlier ends with this stanza: Though down here I may not understand, I won’t let go of the Unseen Hand, for it holds the reason why. So even though I don't have all the answers, for now, I’m clinging to His hand and trusting…

God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

P.S. to Cole--my roly-poly-Colie, grandson #5: You are a blessing in my life, darling boy, and I love you more than words can say. My greatest prayer for you is to find your Savior early and walk in His ways all the days of your life. Happy 1st birthday!

A new model--I don't think so!

Toward the end of March, my husband was hospitalized for hip replacement surgery. He’s counting himself fortunate that I haven’t blogged about the surgical experience. However, I can’t let that time pass without telling you about my foray into the world of modeling. I know, I know, there hasn’t been a big demand for women of my age and size in the modeling world, but if you’re in the right place at the wrong time, you can be chosen.

The morning after Jim’s surgery, while one nurse was examining and changing his bandages, another nurse opened the door and beckoned me to the corridor. “We’re updating our brochures and media products for our Total Joint Center and wondered if you’d help us out. We want some pictures taken in the dining area and we need another warm body in the shots.”

How could I refuse such an offer? After all, I’d had a full four hours of sleep in the past forty-eight. Who wouldn’t think I’d be the perfect specimen. After patting my lifeless hair into further disarray and applying a smear of lipstick, I trotted down the hall. She directed me into the dining room where I was met by the photographer and four assistants wielding an array of lights and floppy white screens, along with several other unidentifiable objects. I watched in amazement as the photographer straddled between tabletops and chairs while pointing his camera in every imaginable direction. I was certain he’d soon be a joint surgery patient if he wasn’t careful.

I have to admit that I’ve watched a few episodes of Make Me a Super Model when it first aired. I can tell you those folks have nothing on me. I followed each direction without question as the photographer snapped his pictures and the lights shone down on me. On command, I smiled, I held my coffee cup high in the air, I placed my cup on the table, I made eye contact with my server, I scooted my chair to the left, and then to the right. Little did I know that I’d be relegated to the back of the picture!

And for all my “modeling,” what did I get? A 3x5 picture that shows two of my double-chins instead of one, a t-shirt and pair of shorts emblazoned with the name of the hospital, and an opportunity to enter into the world of unpaid “brochure” modeling.

Participating in this modeling adventure, reminded me that once we’ve accepted Christ as our Savior, He calls us to be models of his teachings, an adventure that’s not nearly as easy as holding a cup of coffee and smiling. And although there are times I haven’t been the perfect model for our Lord, I’m thankful He’s far more forgiving than a camera that clicks a picture with all our flaws and blemishes. Even better, the reward for becoming one of His models is the gift of eternity with Him—an immeasurable reward.

Just remember—even when you have messy hair and bags under your eyes, God sees you as a super model when you’re about His work.

Keep smiling and looking up. His love is pouring down on you. ~Judy

Books that become good friends

A friend sent me this clip from the I Love Lucy Show recently and I loved watching this snippet again. It took me back, to years ago, to the first time I saw it. I've seen it countless times now and can recite most of the lines along with her (as I'm sure you can), but I still get so tickled at her expressions and her timing. She was a comedic genius.




I've got favorite books that are the same way for me. They've become like good friends. No matter that I've read them numerous times, I still get caught up in the drama and swept away in the characters' journeys, even though I already know how it's going to turn out! Watching movies again and again is one thing but reading a book more than once is another. That's far more of a time investment. A reader wrote me last week saying she'd read Revealed four times already. Bless her dear heart! What a trooper! And how encouraging it is to think that she "fell in love" with Annabelle and Matthew much the way I did.

Some of the books I've read more than once, a few of them several times, are:
Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love, also her Mark of the Lion series
Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Timeline by Michael Crichton

These are just a few of my favorites. But I'm curious, what are some of your favorite books? Ones you've read more than once?

I had a wonderful visit with mom and dad last week and posted an update on my personal blog. One of my favorite moments with them was "sharing" my iPod. They'd never used an iPod before, much less owned one, but we quickly remedied that. I loaded all the praise songs that you guys shared with me onto their Nano too. Now they're enjoying them. ;)

Blessings this week!
Tammy

Signposts in the Word

Over the years, I've accumulated a lot of Bibles in various versions and translations. Most I've purchased. Others were given to me by my publishers. One I got because I wrote a devotional for it (The Grandmother's Bible, NIV). When I downsized my home a couple of years ago, I gave away about 15 Bibles to a women's prison ministry. And still I have a large collection (the photo at left isn't even half of them).

Is it a sin to own too many Bibles?

I enjoy reading different versions like the New Living Translation, the Message, and the Amplified, but I always find my way back to my favorite (see photo of the open Bible). It's an NASB. The one in the photo wasn't my first Bible as a Christian, but it's the one I've owned through some of my best "growing in the Lord years." It's not only highlighted and underlined, it's filled with notes and dates and snippets of sermons and messages the Lord gave to me as I spent time with Him. And every time I read it, I see those "signposts" that mark where I've been and what God has taught me in the journey. The memories are precious and oh-so-meaningful to me. When I read a different Bible, I miss those memories. I think I'll still be reaching for this Bible twenty years from now, should the Lord tarry. Either that or I'll have to transfer all of my notes to another Bible, and I'm not sure I have that many spare hours available to me.

How about you? Do you have a favorite, aging Bible that you return to again and again, one that shows the path you've walked through life with the Lord to guide you?

~robin

The importance of peace

My husband and I have joined a new Bible study that is focused on peacemaking. As we sat there tonight discussing the things we'd learned, I was amazed at one issue that continued to come up. We're often terrified to be vulnerable and to yield our entitlements, even for the sake of peace.

It's amazing to me the things we'll hang onto. We'll hold grudges and take up offenses - we'll gossip and point fingers of blame - we'll even stir up the past in order to prove a point that should have long been laid to rest. And that's just in the church body. In the world things are just as vicious, but somehow it seems more acceptable, after all they aren't living by the Word. In the body, we're supposed to be all about peace and forgiveness. The very foundation of who we are in Christ has a basic ministry of reconcilation.

Romans 12:18 says If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

That's a huge responsibility, and it's one we cannot do even marginally well without the help of Jesus.

So often when issues come up, especially when we know we're right about something, we can't seem to let it go. We can't just turn it over to God and be at peace. Not long ago I saw a woman on Dr. Phil who was arguing her point about a problem in her marriage. She told him over and over, "But I'm right and he's wrong."

Dr. Phil asked her point blank, "Would you rather be right or have peace in your marriage."



That stopped me cold in my tracks. When we're certain that we're right about something - honest and truly Bible-based right, we feel the need to be acknowledged--to have our point of view declared valid. And, often it comes at the cost of peace.

I couldn't help but think about that tonight as we talked and continue to think on it now.

Would I rather have peace or be right?




It's powerful food for thought, so eat up. I'd love to hear what you think.

Tracie

The Glamorous (?) Life of a Writer

A few days ago, while sitting at my computer (in pajama pants, slippers, and a sloppy t-shirt because it's comfortable and I wasn't planning to leave the house all day), I read an email from a writing friend who'd had a "humbling experience" in a bookstore. She'd graciously offered to sign the store's stock of her books, but was met with a horrified refusal--"Then I can't return them!"

I chuckled in a kind of self-deprecating way. I guess all authors have this romanticized idea of what it will be like when they're finally published. People stop us on the streets to rave about our books; fans form a line a half-mile long at booksignings; our editors send us beribboned boxes of gourmet chocolate out of appreciation...

Um, reality bites.

Back when my first book released, I visited a friend in Another State, and we visited Big Bookstore to see if my newly-released book was on the shelf. And it was! Oh, the thrill of seeing it, right there between Francine Rivers's and Lauraine Snelling's! I pointed at it, nearly dancing in place, and crowed, "Look! It's real! It's really real!" I plucked a copy off the shelf and grinned. "Watch this." My friend followed close on my heels as I sauntered over to the customer service desk, which was being manned by two teenage employees...

ME (holding out book on my palms the way one might present a crown): Hi. I wrote this book, and I noticed you have several copies. I wondered if you'd like me to sign your copies and put little "signed by author" stickers on them.

TEEN 1 (takes book and flips it open): There's no signature in here.

ME: Actually, I'm WILLING to sign them, if you prefer.

TEEN 1 (hands the book to Teen 2 and points at me with his thumb): This lady wants the book signed. (The pair put their heads together and examine the book as if it's a foreign object.) Do you know this author?

TEEN 2: Never heard of her.

(My friend grunts. I nudge her.)

ME: Could I possibly speak to the manager?

TEEN 1: He's busy talking to an author about a booksigning.

(The irony strikes me. I giggle-snort.)

TEEN 2: So do you want this book even though it isn't signed?

MY FRIEND (snatches book from Teen 2's hand): I want it. (She pays for it, then hands it to me.) Sign it. (I do.)

Then, out of sympathy for my harrowing ordeal, she took me to Stone Cold Creamery for ice cream. So the story had a happy ending anyway. :o)

When I speak to wannabe writers about the writing life, I always offer this advice: If you're looking at publishing as the means to joy and fulfillment, stop it. Get rid of the mindset that says, "If only I were published, then I would be happy." If you aren't happy and fulfilled now, publishing isn't going to do it for you. Yes, it's exciting and has moments of great joy, but in and of itself, it won't bring lasting fulfillment--God is the only One Who can give you lasting joy and fulfillment. So keep publishing (and all other pursuits) in perspective.

One way to stay grounded, regardless of whether we're seeking the "glamour" of publishing or something else, is to spend time in God's Word. Look at this wonderful advice from Psalm 34 (The Message translation)--"Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all His goodness."

Heaven forbid we should worship ourselves or a dream or a paper-bound book. Worship HIM and watch doors of goodness swing wide!

Now...before I go...on a completely different subject, I have to share some pictures of my darling bugaboos with you. Just love these little darlings!

God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

What's Under There--Underwear??

I hope that title got your attention. Today, I thought I’d “slip” back in history and discuss a little about underwear. Since I’ve been going through some of my fashion and clothing books to complete a bit of research, I thought I’d share a little about the history of women’s undergarments—the bustles, chemises, and crinolines. However, I quickly changed my mind when I discovered a cartoon of a man tying on a pair of “artificial calves,” an accessory introduced around 1770. The purpose was to accentuate the shapeliness of the male calf of the leg, which below the tight breeches of the period was regarded as ‘captivating.’ Who knew men’s calves were once considered captivating! Then again maybe they still are, and I just don’t know it.

After discovering the artificial calves, I couldn’t curtail my curiosity. I continued through the pages of men’s underwear and accessories and soon discovered the inventory of a gentleman’s linen consisted of more than nightshirts, nightcaps and drawers. During this same time period, men often wore corsets. Yep—you read that correctly: men wearing corsets. I discovered a quote from The Hermit in London, dated 1819 that states “He was dressed in the ultra pitch of fashion, collared like the leader of a four-horse team, and pinched in the middle like an hourglass, with a neck as long as a goose, and a cravat as ample as a tablecloth.” Doesn’t that paint quite a word-picture? Several pages later, I discovered another cartoon—a man gripping a bedpost while being laced into a corset by his butler. Amazing what a bit of research will reveal!

All Pinched In

While at a historical writer’s retreat last fall, I had the experience of being laced into a corset. I must admit that I wasn’t brave enough to have myself “pinched in the middle like an hourglass.” Instead, I opted for the shape of a Mason canning jar. The corset held my spine nice and straight and certainly changed the way I sat and walked. I think that’s why women of yesteryear always looked so proper. They couldn’t move, so they sat and smiled. Worst of all, my corset wearing experience took place at lunch time. I soon discovered you can’t eat much while wearing a corset. Talk about a bad case of acid reflux! You can rest assured that I insisted upon being unlaced before dessert was served.

In today’s world we’re bombarded with pictures and discussions of the perfect body image. Research proves this obsession with the perfect physical appearance is nothing new. We need only peek at a few history books to realize that both men and women have been striving to attain that perfect image for thousands of years. What if we spent as much time “clothing” our inner-selves by spending more time in prayer and studying the Word? We’d please our Lord, and the world would become a much lovelier place for all of us.

Blessings as you strive toward inner beauty. ~Judy

P.S. If you happen to find any of those artificial calves while you’re antique shopping, let me know. My hubby says he might consider wearing them if I’d also find the perfect pair of breeches.

There's nothing like "Face to Face"

I'm Atlanta bound this morning and am SO excited to see mom and dad again. I talk with them every day, especially recently, but there's nothing like that "face to face" time. 

The same is true for time with God.

Like you, I pray everywhere. Whenever I'm prompted. Whether I'm standing in the grocery line waiting to check out, or taking Jack for a walk, or pulling weeds in the backyard, or blazing down the highway with the praise music cranked up. And while all of those times of prayer are a privilege for which I'm eternally grateful, the "face to face" time with God is so precious.

And "face to face" time with God is what I've been getting in this Beth Moore study I'm currently doing, "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place."

In learning about the tabernacle and the Israelite's journey through the wilderness, I'm learning more and more about God. About how He works and how He views situations. SO differently from me. About how patient and loving and eternal-minded He is. SO different from me. 

And about His omnipresence--how He stands on both edges of eternity and spans the gap, able to see, with perfect clarity, every single "day" from before the beginning of time to well past the ten millionth year of our being home in the New Heaven and New Earth. 

Again, so different from me.

There have been times in this study when, after reading, I've simply closed my Bible and have bowed and wept over some new facet of God's beauty, or His goodness, or His mercy that's been revealed.

And in those quiet moments, in those "face to face" encounters when I can hear the tick of the grandfather clock throughout the house, I've come face to face with who I am, and with Who God is, and I'm amazed all over again that He could love me. That He would choose to pursue me. Like He loves you and chooses to pursue you.

If you've not done a Beth Moore study before, I'd encourage you to, as Judy did last week. And if the Spirit brings us to mind this week, I'd appreciate your prayers for my parents and me as we visit the chemo doctor on Thursday and then have a follow-up meeting with the surgeon on Friday. It's reassuring to know that God waits for us (face to face) in those future moments, as surely as He resides with us in this one.

Blessings this week,

Tammy

P.S. THANK YOU for all the song recommendations you offered me last week. I'm listening to them and thinking of you all as I drive today.

SAM I have been

I blogged about this on my personal blog, but I can't resist duplicating it here.

As you probably know, I write historical romance and contemporary women's fiction. I like to tell stories about people falling in love, either for the first time or all over again (as in the case of a marriage in crisis, i.e. The Perfect Life). In my personal life, I have known love and I have known heartache. And I might as well admit it, I have been stupid about men.

Whether or not you're looking to get real life romance right, if you're a writer, this is a good book for you to read to help understand many of your female characters who may be Stupid about Men. Here's a bit more about it:

Tired of Kissing Frogs?

Even the most capable and intelligent women are sometimes struck stupid when it comes to relationships with men. Maybe you're like Cinderella, who thinks that only a man can rescue her; or perhaps you are like Little Red Riding Hood, always attracted to "bad boys"; or maybe you find yourself simply settling, like Rapunzel, because you don't believe you can do any better. And somehow, you always end up kissing frogs.

No matter what kind of "stupid" you are, licensed marriage and family therapist Deborah Dunn will show you why you keep making the same mistakes with men, and will empower you to take control of who you are and become smart about life.

Learn the 10 most common mistakes women make.

---

Have fun with it!

~rlh~

Thinking of Spring and New Life

I'm thinking of spring and new life, but in Montana that really won't happen for another month - maybe two. We have a very short time of spring around here. When things finally do warm up it seems that everything just kind of blooms overnight.

While in Kansas I enjoyed the blooms of flowering redbud trees, as well as tulips and daffodils.


Many trees were starting to leaf out and the grass was slowly but surely greening up. The promise of new life was definitely in the air.

I remember as a girl growing up in Kansas that the spring was always a mixed blessing. It was a wondrous time when we were planting gardens and enjoying warmer days, but it was also tornado season. We had the yearly spring ritual of preparing the basement for the inevitable storm that would send us seeking protection.

Nevertheless, as Resurrection Sunday is nearly upon us and the celebration of new life in Jesus will send us to Easter Egg hunts, Passover Remembrances and a variety of other activities, I'm counting my blessings and thinking of spring. It's a wondrous time of year to be sure, and while I won't see trees leafing out or green lawns for just a little while longer, I can feel it in the air and know that it's coming. The antipation is almost overwhelming and makes me think of how all of creation is waiting and watching for the return of the King. Gives me the shivers to just imagine Jesus returning and all of the world being set right once again.

So I wish you a blessed week - a Good Friday of reflection and appreciation for what Jesus suffered on our account, a thoughtful and anticipation filled Saturday and a glorious Resurrection Sunday and new life in Him.


Tracie

A New Understanding

Have you ever read something you've read before—maybe even more than once—but suddenly something jumps out that you hadn't noticed previously? This happens when I read a book where I'm dying to know what comes next. I tend to speed read, and I miss little details. Then, when I read the book a second time at a slower pace, those details are "new." It's always fun to find something new in an "old" read.

Reading the Bible is part of my daily routine. I've been a Christian for 40 years, so I've spent a significant amount of time in God's Word. I don't say that to sound "bragadocious," but to say the Bible is an "old" read. Yet, every so often, something new jumps from well-read pages. And every time, my heart thrills at the new understanding.

Monday, I read this: "I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing (Ez. 34:26 NIV)." I've read this verse before, have accepted it as a promise that God blesses His people by meeting their needs and beyond, but for the first time two words captured my attention: in season.

It was as if God whispered, "In My timing, dear one, not yours." And, oddly, with the new realization, peace swept through me. Doesn't make a lot of sense, does it? After all, when it comes to blessings, don't we want them now? Waiting isn't always fun. Or peaceful.

One of my favorite songs is "Break My Plans" by a group called This Hope. The group came to our church a few years ago, and the song literally moves me to tears every time I listen to it. (You can see a video of the song performed here—please watch it; it's well worth the three minutes of viewing time.) The song was inspired by a man imprisoned for writing Christian choruses in a land where Christianity was outlawed. While in prison, although he truly just wanted to go home, his prayer became "break my plans." He was sitting in a place not of his choosing, yet God used him mightily during that time, and the blessings were abundant.

Sometimes sitting where God wants us rather than where we want to be isn't comfortable. But my past experience with my heavenly Father has taught me that He always has my best interests at heart. Whatever He plans for me is better than anything I could plan for myself, and it also brings blessing. Which means it's always worth waiting for.

He will send down blessing—showers of blessing—in season. As doors close and disappointments strike, we can cling to that verse as an encouragement. Showers of blessing will come in His perfect timing. It reminds me of a chorus God gave me several years ago when I was hoping and waiting for a special blessing: "Wait on the Lord; you will understand in time if you just wait..." He proved that one true then, and I know He'll prove Himself true again.

God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

Stepping Up

On Monday, March 30th, my Bible study group completed Beth Moore’s seven week study, Stepping Up, a journey through the Psalms of Ascent. This is a picture of some of the ladies who participated. I trust the caption won’t offend any of the ladies, especially since I’m one of them.

Little Old Ladies Take a Big Step Up

For many in the group, this was a first time adventure with Beth Moore, while others had completed some of her other studies. I had the privilege of acting as group leader, and we had a wonderful time studying the Word and learning some astonishing things God had to say to us.

Along the way, we discovered some new things about ourselves and each other. Nothing draws you closer to a group of women than studying and reflecting upon the Word of God. Participating in this study during the weeks leading to Easter made the journey even more poignant.

We’ve all had different life experiences, so I shouldn’t be amazed that His word speaks to our hearts in a variety of ways, but that’s one of the things that makes studying with other Christian women so much fun.

Of course, the three “C’s” are always welcome, too. You know—coffee, cookies, and conversation. Along the way, we had an abundance of all three, and I was sorry when we concluded our weekly time together. However, we’ll join together again in the future, and I look forward to another sweet time of fellowship and study with these dear ladies.

If you can’t connect with a group of women, don’t let that stop you! A study on your own will reap huge benefits, as well. So grab your Bible, coffee, a cookie, or some chocolate (another excellent “C” word), and discover what God has to say to you.

I know “C” words are favorites of my fellow blogger, Kim Sawyer, but since I didn’t mention “cats” in my list, I’m hopeful she’ll forgive me for borrowing the letter “C” for today.

May you have a blessed Easter and find joy in Him.

~Judy

One of those "just happened" moments

I was reminded this weekend at my niece's wedding of how quickly time passes, and of how God must love "surprise meetings."

Following the wedding, my family and I nabbed a table for the reception and two lovely gals asked if they could join us. We said "sure" and struck up a conversation and, turns out, I knew these girls--years ago! Their parents were friends of ours when the girls were just toddlers!

Me with Jessica and Jillian Payne

(Aren't they lovely?)

In our early days of marriage, my husband and I lived in Memphis and some of our dear friends were Sydney and Paula Payne. Joe and I eventually moved from Memphis to Texas, then to Colorado, and as the years passed, we lost touch. Well, Sydney and Paula are still in Memphis but their daughters live here in Nashville and we "just happened" to sit at the same table at the wedding.

I say "just happened" in quotes because I believe it was one of those God designed moments. Twenty-something years ago when I last saw these girls and we all played in the park together, God looked ahead, spanning the years, and could already see the moment when we'd be sitting at that same table and our paths would cross again. I believe He was watching, and chuckling, and loving the moment too. 

I firmly believe in God's sovereignty and in His orchestration of our lives. Even in the most minute details. Is everything that happens in our lives by His direct design? Not hardly. But everything that does happen does happen because God allows it. Both the good and the bad. Sometimes that's really hard to come to grips with, I know. But if God is all powerful--and He is--then there's no other explanation.

A song I've been listening to recently is You Never Let Go. My version is sung by Matt Redman. You've heard the song before, I'm sure. It's not new. But it's really ministered to me lately, reminding me that God works in every situation for our eternal good. And that the only way to get through some situations--especially the ones that don't make sense to your heart--is to praise Him throughout. 

Because it's impossible to praise Him and not trust Him too.

What song have you been listening to recently that's really encouraged you in your faith? Do share, please! I want to download some new songs from iTunes and I'd love your recommendations. Last time I asked this I got several great new songs that I've loved!

Blessings on your week,

Tammy

P.S. Okay, don't tell my family but I've got another pan of those zany brownies in the oven. I'm beginning to think I should have never bought this pan. But I'm going to give these brownies away. Really. Well, at least the ones that don't have edges. :)

NOTE TO WINNER OF SENSE AND SENSIBILITY MOVIE...

Michelle, I've still got your movie, lady. If you'll send me your snail mail address (through my contact page on my website), I'll send you your movie. :-) 

A Vote of Confidence begins shipping

Sometimes I'm asked if it is still as exciting today when a new book arrives as it was when my first book arrived. Yes. It really is as exciting. And I hold my breath, hoping readers will fall in love with my characters the way I did when they introduced themselves to me many, many months before.

A Vote of Confidence (my 60th release) started shipping from CBD last Friday. It may be another week or two before the book reaches other bookstores, but it is on its way now through the distribution channels as I write this. The story is set in Idaho in 1915, and my heroine, Gwen Arlington, runs for mayor against my hero, Morgan McKinley. I became fascinated with this time period when researching my suffragette novel, Catching Katie, so I was glad to return to the era again for this new series, The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs.

Idaho was one of the first Western states to give women the right to vote (1896 for Idaho), but it would be 24 years before the 19th Amendment would pass, giving all American women the right to vote (August 1920). And just so you'll know, the first woman mayor elected in America really was from Idaho! The year was 1918, just a few years after the setting of my story. The best thing about writing historical novels is the research. Even if I can't use the things I learn, it's still fun learning them. I love history, and I'll wager the readers of this blog do too.

Here's the book trailer for A Vote of Confidence . I hope it will make you want to learn more about Gwen, Morgan, and Bethlehem Springs.







~robin

Across the prairie

As we drove to Kansas over the last two days, I was reminded about pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Many of the roads we took on our trip paralleled that famous trail and I was once again utterly amazed that anyone ever went west to settle this wonderful country.

Even today there are a great many miles of vast open prairie - much of which is now cultivated in farmland or providing rangeland to cattle. Miles and miles of flat open, treeless (or very nearly) prairie.

I can only imagine the thoughts of a young woman as she sets out with her husband to yet another day of endless prairie. Traveling west on the Oregon Trail was a journey that often started in April and was lucky to finish by September. The travelers faced a great many trials on the way west. The weather alone was a tremendous adversary. We found a bit of that ourselves as we came through a couple of blinding snows.

I think of how hard it must have been to know that God was calling you to this trip west. There was no travel agent to help you along--no major cities or roads. Just a handful of watering holes and forts, and a seemingly endless stretched of wagon ruts that appeared to go on forever.



What faith--what complete trust those people must have had. Faith that their guides could get them to where they wanted to go. Faith that the end of the trip would be worth the problems they might endure along the way. Faith in God to bring them through.

I often joke about being made of pioneer spirit, but after feeling completely worn out from crossing 1300 miles in two days, in a very comfortable Suburban, with well ordered rest stops and the ever present McDonald's along the way, I kind of think maybe I wouldn't have been such a great pioneer, and I find myself very grateful to be resting comfortably in a nice hotel.

Blessings on your journey.
Tracie

When Dreams Fizzle and Die...

I fully intended to blog today about signing the contract for my "new" house--a 1904 three-story Victorian with a wrap-around front porch, a darling vestibule, an open winding staircase that led right to the third floor, eight bedrooms, three bathrooms (TWO clawfoot tubs!), bay windows and tall ceilings and hardwood floors and a sweet maid's staircase... In my opinion, the perfect house. I had already claimed the maid's quarters as my office, and hubby had dubbed the room off the formal dining room as the "library." We were supposed to have a contract in hand Tuesday, the perfect time for me to share with you the fulfillment of my dream to live in an historic home. But instead I'm having to let go of that dream.

The house went into foreclosure two years ago. It's sat empty and sad all this time. The mortgage company holding the title is also in the process of foreclosure. Consequently, the information we've received from company representatives has often contradicted itself. Our hopes have been lifted and dropped so many times in the past two months as we've waited for the company to decide whether or not to accept our bid. The last communication was YES, we can proceed and close quickly...and then a week later--on the day we were told to expect to receive the final contract--we're told it will be another 30 days, and in the meantime the house is being put up for public auction. Can you say "conflicting reports"?

We decided we'd had enough of the roller-coaster ride. And we let the house go.

Funny how difficult it was. The house was never "mine" in any real sense. Yet in my mind's eye, I had already arranged furniture, painted walls, hung pictures... And I'm surprised at how much it hurt to back away.

Psalm 27:4 says, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord..." I have no idea if a big ol' Victorian house is in my future. But there is one thing I know for sure--there is a home waiting for me in Heaven. That home will never be put up for public auction. It's already got my name stencilled on the mailbox (in purple glitter). And I betcha God will let me paint the walls and hang wallpaper and arrange furniture just the way I want it. :o)

We march around here on the earth and make our human plans, and sometimes they work out and sometimes they fall through. But thank goodness there is something in life on which we can bank fully and completely: God's unwavering presence!

God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

P.S.--I'm driving across Kansas this morning to teach at the Called to Write conference in Girard. Prayers for travel safety, for energy, and to be a blessing to the attendees would be very appreciated!

Before and After

I know, I know. Seeing that title, you probably expected to see some ‘before and after’ pictures reflecting I’d lost fifty pounds. Or maybe some ‘before and after’ pictures presenting me with a wrinkle-free face due to a new and advanced facial cream. Instead, you get trees. But what can I say? Since I haven’t lost any weight and my wrinkles are all still intact, you’re going to have to settle for the tree pictures.

This is the star magnolia tucked alongside our garage where it can get a bit of protection from the weather. Each spring I eagerly wait to see the buds open into full bloom. Once the lovely flowers disappear, green foliage covers the branches and the leaves remain until fall when they turn a lovely shade of burnt red before dropping off the branches. The following spring, the cycle begins anew. Unfortunately, Kansas weather is unpredictable. Almost every year a belated ice or snow storm swoops across the plains and ruins the lovely blossoms.

A couple of weeks ago when the tree had begun to bloom I asked my hubby to take a picture. “It’s far too early,” he said. “You should wait until after it’s in full bloom.” Fearful winter would make an unexpected reappearance, I disagreed. And sure enough, before the tree had reached full potential, we were hit with freezing temperatures, ice, and snow. There will be no more star-shaped blooms this spring, but you can see that the house protected the tree from complete destruction. But once the warmer temperatures return, the tree will be covered with the thick green leaves that provide an excellent hiding place for a variety of birds and an occasional squirrel.

As I surveyed the sad looking branches, I was reminded of the many unexpected storms that enter our lives. Yet even during those times of suffering and turbulence, we are blessed by the assurance of the Lord’s protection. The tree and its life-giving sap were protected by the shelter of my house so that it will once again produce. In the same way, the life of Christ dwells within each Christian, sustaining us so that we may produce in His time and season. Isn’t it wonderful to rest in the assurance that when those unexpected storms appear, we have Him?

May you always rest in God’s reassuring love. ~Judy