The Write Stuff

Daytime Blue Ridge WSLS TV 10 interview

2012-02-20T12:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to those of you who prayed for me during my Second Chance interview today. Continue to pray the the Lord will use the book to touch lives with His love and forgiveness, and purpose.

Thanks, Readers!

2012-02-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

Thanks, Readers, for helping me launch Second Chance! Will you join me in praying that the Lord will use this novel to touch hearts with His love and redemption?

In the words of my editor, Ramona Tucker: "Thank you, Eileen, for writing this book--a lovely story filled with the passion of two people reaching for their place in the world and finding God's surprises! May readers be inspired and convicted to make a difference!"

Want to know another way you can help? After you've read Second Chance, leave a short review on www.amazon.com.

More reviews mean more presence for the book.

Coming soon! A KINDLE BLITZ!

Today's the Day! Amazon BOOK BLITZ for Second Chance!

2012-02-16T06:50:00.000-08:00

Today's the day, readers! Will you help me launch my new release, Second Chance?

Amazon BOOK BLITZ!

The more folks who purchase a copy today, the higher Second Chance will rise in the sales rank, which means more people will come in contact with the book. Which means more potential readers of my message.

Book blurb: An empty nest mom wants the life back in her marriage. A teen from the projects just wants a life. Could they be the answer to each other's dream?

Bonus features:
The 21 Day Romance Challenge for married couples
Song of Solomon Bible study for women's groups

You get two books in one!

Themes addressed in Second Chance:

Love between a husband and wife
Love between Christ and the believer
Forgiveness (especially between father and child)
Empty nest
Depression
Purpose in the second half of life
Volunteer work
Unplanned pregnancy

A portion of proceeds goes to support Straight Street, a Christian inner city teen ministry that reaches out to lost and hurting teens with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

www.straightstreet.org

Reader feedback:

“Gently unfolds the truth that sometimes, the best is yet to come, from unexpected people, and places, and hearts.”
—Sandra Byrd, author of To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn

“Transcends race and reaches the extremes—from suburbia to the ghetto, from guilt over a loved one’s murder to a marriage gone dull. With a dash of humor for balance, Second Chance will speak to your heart, no matter your station in life.”
—April W. Gardner, author of the Creek Country Saga; Sr. Editor of the literary site, Clash of the Titles

“Refreshing and thought-provoking.”
—Jennifer Slattery of Novel Reviews and Clash of the Titles

“Transports readers into the worlds of two very diverse characters. With laughter, tears, and sighs, you’ll enjoy every turn of the page.”
—Fay Lamb, author of Because of Me, Treble Heart Books

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to visit www.amazon.com and help me launch Second Chance!

Another way you can help: Spread the word on your FB pages! Thanks so much!

Welcome author, Janice Davis!

2012-02-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

Tell my readers about yourself, Janice.

I am a Christian, wife, mother, and teacher. Each day I enjoy time with 100 sixth-graders, teaching them more about writing and communication. My favorite activities, though, are time with my husband and daughter - games, chatting, walking, or just hanging out together. Those are precious times.

Why did you write, Finding My Smile?

My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when she was 74 years old. I watched her suffer for 10 years; I watched my family suffer as she lost all recognition of who we were or what she knew. Then, one day years after she passed away, I met a dear woman who adopted a beautiful girl afflicted with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). As I learned more about the struggles that young woman faced each day because of her birth-mother's neglect, my heart broke. One morning, God began working in my heart. He had already given me a passion for writing. That morning, He gave me a story - Finding My Smile - a beautiful message tying two diseases that can paralyze families or bind them together, depending on how HE is allowed in the process. God began speaking to me; I began typing. This amazing story is the result of His complete inspiration.

What do you want readers to take-away from this novel?

As I wrote this story, and as it now enters the market, it is my constant prayer that every person who reads it will be touched by God's amazing message of unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace. We are never so far beyond God's grace that He can't reach us. It is only in our walking away from Him that a distance occurs.

How did writing Finding My Smile impact your life?

Each moment I wrote was an indescribable moment in Shekinah - the presence of God's glory. I cannot begin to put adequate words down to describe the blessing of having God tell you a story like this one - even if much of it is based on my own life. He masterfully wove it together into a message that has touched my life intensely. I pray every reader will find that same intensity and blessing as they read His message as well.

Do you have any particular influences/people who have inspired you in your life journey thus far?

My husband has been a tremendous influence in my life. He's the one that convinced me to pursue a dream of teaching. Then, one day when I wanted to spend more time with our daughter, he agreed that working part-time would be a reality we could endure. It was through those moments that I began searching my passion for writing more and more. Our daughter is my other inspiration. She begged me to tell stories, often encouraging me to write them down. Then, one day, as I began to write this one she graciously gave me time to work. Later, she would listen as I shared ideas, offer her own brilliant suggestions, and then read the passages to give me insight from a teenager perspective. But, most of all, God is my ultimate influence and favorite author of all time. Without His inspiration and previous book (BIBLE), this story would not be in print today.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with my readers?

If you or someone you love is afflicted with Alzheimer's or FAS, don't hesitate to reach out to God for his amazing grace and courage! He will never let you down. If this book inspires you as well, please let me know.

You can email Janice at:

boxofrocks@sbcglobal.net.

Janice's blog at The Christian Post:

http://blogs.christianpost.com/bindings/2012/02/alzheimers-finding-peace-in-the-midst-of-the-agony-02/

Thanks for joining us today, Janice, to share more about Finding My Smile!

For more information on FAS, check out the following website:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/fas.html

For more information on Alzheimer's, check out this link:

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alzheimers_disease.asp

Welcome author, Suzanne Hartman!

2012-02-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

Suzanne Hartmann is a homeschool mom of three and lives in the St. Louis area. When not homeschooling or writing, she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and Bible study. Four of her short stories appeared in a Millikin reading workbook, but PERIL: Fast Track Thriller Bk. #1 is her debut novel.

On the editorial side, Suzanne is a contributing editor with Port Yonder Press and operates the Write This Way Critique Service. She has also written an e-book on the craft of writing entitled Write This Way: Take Your Writing to a New Level.

Readers can find Suzanne online at the following locations:

FastTrackThrillers (http://fasttrackthrillers.blogspot.com)

Write This Way (http://Suzanne-hartmann2.blogspot.com)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Suzanne-Hartmann-Author/45955180933

http://twitter.com/#!/SuzInIL

Back cover blurb

Lady Anne, a top operative of the OJL, the American government’s most clandestine intelligence organization, is paid to be paranoid, and she’s good at her job. So good, in fact, that she singlehandedly stops an assassination attempt at the White House. When newspapers splash her photo over the front page for saving King Ahmad—a Muslim recently converted to the Christian faith—not only is her cover in jeopardy, but the secrets of her enhanced strength and the entire agency. Then she’s given another assignment—to escort King Ahmad to a NASCAR track….

Stuart Jackson, age 33 and at the peak of his career as the reigning Cup Champion of NASCAR, has everything anyone could want—fame, fortune, success. But after he’s nearly blown up by a bomb at the White House, his achievements lose their allure. Nor can he forget the mysterious Lady Anne.

Thanks for sharing your debut novel, Fast Track Thriller, with my readers, Suzanne. God's best to you in this venture!

Welcome author, Fay Lamb!

2012-02-04T13:20:00.001-08:00

Fay Lamb works as an acquisition/copyeditor for Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing and Harbourlight Books), offers her services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel will be released on February 3, 2012, by Treble Heart Books/Mountainview Publishing.

Fay has a passion for working with and encouraging fellow writers. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she co-moderates the large Scribes’ Critique Group and manages the smaller Scribes’ critique groups. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the ACFW Members Service Award in 2010.

In 2012, Fay was also elected to serve as secretary on ACFW’s Operating Board.
Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren.

The inspiration behind BECAUSE OF ME

I met Michael Hayes one cool autumn day while sitting on my porch. I’d been staring vacantly out at the cedar trees lining the backyard trying to plot a story.

Michael, unshaven, his hair a little scraggly, and his young face filled with tension, began to tell me his story. “There’s a young boy, Cole. I’m not his father, but he’s definitely on this earth because of me. I allowed something horrible to happen to his mother, but I still love her. I despise the kid, though. I’ve forgiven another for so much more, and Cole’s only fault is that his father is the man who took everything from me. How can I learn to love this child and protect his mother from the man who can again take her from me?”

And as easily as Michael entered my imagination, he turned and walked away.
Michael’s revelation brought forth layer after layer of plot, and my novel, Because of Me was born.

Michael didn’t have to introduce me to the love of his life, Isabel “Issie” Putnam. I knew she had spunk. She’d gone on with her life, living it the best she could in the shadow of condemnation. Michael had been sent to prison for a crime he had not committed, but those who should have loved her best, thought her as guilty as they believed Michael had been. Despite the rumors and accusations, Issie raised her son, a child born of the most unspeakable act—one Michael was forced to watch.

And Issie expects Michael to deal with it. She loves him, but she isn’t about to let a man love her if he cannot love her son.

Michael’s question, “How can I learn to love this child and protect his mother from the man who can again take her from me?” plagued me.

Michael’s journey is one that leads him and Issie to a full understanding of Christ-like forgiveness and the knowledge that God can use our mistakes and bring about the most wondrous of gifts. After all, God is in every detail of our lives.

Because of Me is available at www.faylamb.com, www.trebleheartbooks.com/MVLamb, and at Amazon.com.

Thanks for sharing with my readers today, Fay! May the Lord use Because of Me to open readers' eyes to the wonder and beauty of His forgiveness.

Welcome author, Becky Lyles!

2012-01-30T08:53:00.001-08:00

Debut novelist Rebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming. Her nonfiction titles, both available on Amazon, are It's a God Thing! Inspiring Stories of Life-Changing Friendships and On a Wing and a Prayer–Stories from Freedom Fellowship, a Prison Ministry. Currently, she and her husband, Steve, live in the neighboring state of Idaho. She enjoys the creativity and beauty that abound throughout her adopted state as well as opportunities to hike, camp, snowshoe and cross-country ski in the midst of God’s grandeur. http://www.beckylyles.com

Fresh out of a Pennsylvania penitentiary armed with a marketing degree, Kate Neilson heads to Wyoming anticipating an anonymous new beginning as a guest-ranch employee. A typical twenty-five-year-old woman might be looking to lasso a cowboy, but her only desire is to get on with life on the outside—despite her growing interest in the ranch owner. When she discovers a violent ex-lover followed her west, she fears the past she hoped to hide will imprison her once again.

Becky, tell my readers what led you to write this story.

My inspiration to write a novel began years ago in a writers group. We’d heard dime novels were making a comeback, so we each decided to write one. How hard could it be? The books were short—one-hundred pages or less.

Though the resurgence of dime novels was short-lived, I now had a plot for a longer book. A young woman would tire of life in the big city—Pittsburgh, to be exact—and move to Wyoming. Sad to say, that was the entire plot. So, of course, my attempt to write the story quickly bogged down, because it was going nowhere. But I didn’t give up. Instead, I read books about writing, attended writing classes, workshops and conferences, joined another critique group, submitted early chapters to contests to receive feedback from judges—and kept working on the novel.

In the meantime, I wrote a nonfiction book about a street ministry and another about a prison ministry. And I began leading Bible studies in a women’s prison. That’s when the notion entered my head that the protagonist would be a young woman who’d just been released from prison in Pennsylvania. She would move to Wyoming to escape her past. But, of course, her past would follow her and try to drag her back to her former life.

As you can see, my inspiration for Winds of Wyoming did not come in a one-time “a-ha!” moment. My path to formulating a believable plot line was indirect and my journey to publication long and slow, but I learned much about fiction writing along the way. Based on reader feedback, the result was worth the delay.

Thanks for sharing about Winds of Wyoming, Becky. May God use this work in many lives!

Upcoming release: SECOND CHANCE!

2012-01-25T09:46:00.001-08:00

Excited to announce the upcoming release of my fourth novel, SECOND CHANCE, a poignant story of middle age, surprising friendships, and unexpected places.

Mave Robertson, a recent empty nester, wants the fire back in her marriage, but her husband, Jerry, remains aloof. Is he having an affair? A midlife crisis? When a neighbor suggests she “get a life,” Mave accepts the challenge and volunteers at an inner-city teen ministry where she is thrown into a culture of drugs, gangs, and unwed teen moms. She soon discovers someone she can help, but might he also be the cure for both her stale marriage and her crumbling relationship with her father?

~~

Dareece Jackson, a teen from the projects, wants something in Mave’s purse…and he’ll stop at nothing to get it.

~~

“Gently unfolds the truth that sometimes, the best is yet to come, from unexpected people, and places, and hearts.”
—Sandra Byrd, author of To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn

“Transcends race and reaches the extremes—from suburbia to the ghetto, from guilt over a loved one’s murder to a marriage gone dull. With a dash of humor for balance, Second Chance will speak to your heart, no matter your station in life.”
—April W. Gardner, author of the Creek Country Saga; Sr. Editor of the literary site, Clash of the Titles

“Refreshing and thought-provoking.”
—Jennifer Slattery of Novel Reviews and Clash of the Titles

“Transports readers into the worlds of two very diverse characters. With laughter, tears, and sighs, you’ll enjoy every turn of the page.”
—Fay Lamb, author of Because of Me, Treble Heart Books

Vist www.eileenrife.com to read chapter one.

Welcome author, K. Dawn Byrd!

2012-01-17T09:29:00.001-08:00

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense with five books published so far. Recently, she tried her hand at young adult fiction and found that she really enjoyed writing it. Three books in the Zoe Mack Mystery Series are scheduled to release January, June, and December 2012. Shattered Identity, the sequel to Mistaken Identity, will release in April.

K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Zoe's cousin Emma thinks she's the recipient of some sick joke when an old boyfriend she thought dead shows up on the internet. Can Zoe solve the mystery that's causing Emma so much pain when her attraction to the town bad boy is so distracting?

When Zoe Mack moves in with her grandparents to start college, she's thrown into more mystery than she bargained for. Her cousin, Emma, is terrorized by a stalker who breaks into her house and leaves a photo-shopped image of Emma hanging from a tree. Nothing is as it seems and Emma soon learns that even the man she thinks she can trust is suspect.

Zoe can't wait to reunite with Nate, the bad boy who doesn't talk about his feelings much, but the passionate kiss he gave her last summer had to have meant something. When she arrives back in town and discovers that he's in trouble with the law, she must take matters into her own hands in order to clear his name. She has her hands full with a needy Emma, a cop who gives her the creeps, and Nate, the guy she desperately wants to call her own. Can Zoe solve the mystery, clear Nate's name, and make him fall in love with her?

Dawn, tell my readers how this story came to you?

Sometimes I get the strangest ideas! I love a good mystery and I love romance, but you don't find the two together very often. Also, there are very few books available with college-age characters. I pitched the idea of combining all of the above to Desert Breeze and the rest is history.

Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.

I had already published several books with Desert Breeze when they opened a young adult line. I'm excited that they liked the idea for this new series

Tell us three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

I own two hairless Chinese Crested dogs.
I love sour things....pickles, lemons, sour candy.
I used to ride a Harley, but gave it up in order to have more time to write. (My husband always wanted to stay out way too long and take the scenic route home. He still has his bike, but I don't miss mine at all.)

What are you working on now and what's next for you?

I just finished the edits on my April release, Shattered Identity, which is the sequel to Mistaken Identity. I'm now working on the second book in the Zoe Mack series.

Any parting comments you'd like to share with my readers?

Thank you for hosting me! For those of you who love Christian fiction, please check my blog for weekly book giveaways. I interview 3-5 authors a week who give away their books. www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Links where you can find Dawn and her books.

Website: www.kdawnbyrd.com
Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com and www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com
Twitter: kdawnbyrd
Book trailer on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1aJrlR0fd4&context=C37a6c3aADOEgsToPDskI03937RSubxSN3pzKZqfrl

Thanks, Dawn, for stopping by today for an interview! God bless your continued efforts through the written word.

His Kingdom, Not My Kingdom

2012-01-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

My trip through the Old Testament has brought me to 1 Samuel. And I'll tell you--the Bible is anything but boring!

Romance that melts your heart
Murder, cold-blooded and premeditated
Battles that rival any Mel Gibson film
Kingdom threats that shake up, well, even Shakespeare

And speaking of spears . . .

My stopping place today was 1 Samuel, chapter 22 where David hides in a cave from King Saul, who on several occasions sought to kill the young man by hurling his spear in his direction.

Unchecked, unrestrained, vicious jealousy has a way of prompting such actions.

In a previous passage, David told Jonathan there was hardly a step between him and death. This due to Saul's relentless jealousy over David's conquests. He knew the hand of the Lord was with David. And he feared for HIS kingdom. Somehow, Saul had lost sight of Whose Kingdom it really was.

Once anointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Saul is now bereft of the Spirit. Remember, this is an Old Testament dispensation when the Holy Spirit did not dwell within man as a permanent gift. The permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit within a believer is recorded in Acts after Jesus ascends back into heaven.

My takeaway:

Guard my heart. Protect my allegiance and devotion to the Lord. While the Holy Spirit will not be taken away from a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is still possible to quench Him and grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30). My mandate is to keep my heart "current" with the Lord. Allow the Spirit to uproot any jealousy or other issues that might be clouding my vision and my open heart response to Him, remembering that I am an important part of building HIS Kingdom.

HIS Kingdom, not MY kingdom.

My Simple Garden seven days after planting . . .

2012-01-04T07:48:00.001-08:00

My simple garden seven days after planting.

Lettuce sprouted first, then basil, then tomato in the center. Greenhouse lid came off when the first two seed leaves appeared.

The Simple Garden

2011-12-28T13:50:00.000-08:00

Another after-Christmas "puttering" day working about the house. On my fun to-do list today was assembling my Simple Garden gifted by my sister, Lois.

First, I placed the three compact soil disks in a plastic tub and added a gallon and a half of warm water.

After 15 minutes, I crumbled the soil in my hands and filled the provided plant container with the rich humus.

Next, I placed the planting grid over the soil. After I studied (sounds too hard, but quite the contrary)the accompanying manual, I dropped two-three seeds in the designated holes and pushed lightly with the planting stick provided. The kit came with cherry tomato and basil seeds. Lois also included a package of gourmet lettuce seeds. (My mouth is watering just typing this. Yum!)

Then I covered the container with the plastic greenhouse lid and taped the air vents to ensure warmth and moisture according to the instructions for growing indoors.

Finally, I set the planter in a sunny window (okay, it was sunny when I placed it there and hopefully will be tomorrow :). The container is resting comfortably on a heating pad to keep the baby seeds warm until they sprout, which should be in about 7 - 10 days.

Will keep you posted on my "babies" progress.

And then, Bon Appetit!

Check out www.theSimpleGarden.com for your easy winter gourmet garden.

Take a vacation from your armchair . . . Book giveaway!

2011-12-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

Need a vacation, but can't take the time or come up with the money?

Take a vacation from your armchair. Here's how . . .

Leave a comment on this post about your dream vacation. One or two sentences will do. More if you like. Where would you go if money and time were no object?

Automatically enter the contest to receive a FREE copy of TRANQUIL MOMENTS: SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT FROM THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

Thirty-one vignettes take you on a spiritual journey. View God's promise in a rainbow spreading across a Maui mountaintop, His peace in a cascading waterfall, and His faithfulness in a colorful sunrise. Discover 101 additional ways to add a tranquil moment to your day.

Savor a tranquil moment as the God of the universe fills you up with His never-ending love, peace, and purpose.

View the book trailer to catch a glimpse of your January vacation . . .

From your armchair. :)

Winner announced on January 21.

Breathe deeply . . .

2011-12-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

Breathe deeply
These Christmas smells.
Cinnamon, pine
And chocolate melting.

Candles burning,
Hearts aflame
With the wonder of Jesus,
To earth He came.

Just pulled out a fresh batch of banana muffins from the oven, complete with chocolate chips. Yum! Pass the butter.

And breathe deeply . . .

Once upon a time . . .

2011-12-19T07:56:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who grew up with the name of Jesus on her lips, but not in her heart. She knew all the Bible stories. Her parents, after all, were home missionaries, serving the Lord among the children in East Tennessee.

During her early years, a great sadness filled her home and her young life. Her brother, fourteen years her senior, had died at age eighteen after a lifetime of hydrocephalus. Even at the age of four, she sensed a bleakness and a blackness cover her world. Terror filled her nights, her only comfort the light her mother left on in the hallway. Oh, how her mother tried to console the little girl. She would sit on the edge of her bed and quote Psalm 56:3: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you."

The little girl wanted to trust in God, but she didn't know how. Fear engulfed her spirit and overwhelmed any faith that might break through.

Then, on one muggy summer Sunday night, she and her friend sat in church listening to a visiting evangelist. Well, her friend was listening. She was absorbed in a western novel she'd checked out of the church library.

When the service ended and the speaker asked if anyone would like to come forward and receive Christ as Savior, her friend leaned over to her. "I want to go up," she said.

The little girl shrugged. "Ah, we're too young."

Her reply didn't deter her friend, however. She stood up, slipped past the little girl, and walked down the aisle to her mother. They whispered together and then went up to the front.

A few months later, in October, the little girl sat beside her father on a Sunday morning. The sun streamed through the stained-glass windows. After the preacher closed the sermon, the minister of music directed the congregation to a hymn titled, Jesus I Come.

As the music swirled around her, she became transfixed on the words, "Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come. Into Thy freedom, gladness and light, Jesus, I come to Thee."

At that moment, she knew those words were written for her. Without a word, she slipped past her father and down the aisle, her physical trek a spiritual heart response to Jesus. Jesus, I come to You, was her heart cry.

That day, the little girl acknowledged Jesus as her personal Savior. It was a first, trembling step to connect with Jesus.

The next day, the little girl went to third grade and sat behind her friend, Jimmy. She tapped him on the shoulder and told him what she had done. He said he had done the same thing.

Another hymn that captured her heart as a child was The Old Rugged Cross, written by George Bennard.

"On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown."

That little girl was me, and I have one glory: the cross of Christ. As Augustus Toplady wrote in his well-known hymn, Rock of Ages , "In my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling."

In Christ alone, does my life make sense. In the midst of much doubt, fear, and obsessive-compulsiveness over the years, the Lord has continually wooed me out of the darkness and into His marvelous Light. He is faithful God, Savior, and Lord.

As Luke so aptly writes about Christ in chapter one, verses 77-79 . . .

Jesus Christ came "to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

During this Christmas season, my heart's prayer for you, dear reader, is that you will consider the cross, for through Christ alone can any of us know forgiveness of sin and share eternal life with Him.

Let His Light break through your darkness and guide your feet into the path of peace.

A Shepherd Visits Jesus

2011-12-15T07:19:00.001-08:00

A shepherd visits Jesus. I can't think of any better place to be than in Christ's lap.

Riveted by these words today . . .

2011-12-14T14:45:00.000-08:00

Riveted by these words today that kept flowing through my mind . . .

O Love that will not let me go.

Written by George Matheson over one-hundred years ago, these words fuel spirit, soul, and body. Here's the complete hymn. Savor the beautiful, meaningful poetry along with me as the day gives way to dusk on this December Wednesday.

"O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that foll'west all my way,
I yield my flick'ring torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me thru pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow thru the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be."

The Write Stuff: Welcome guest author, Zeke Lam!

2011-12-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

www.submissionministries.org

Welcome guest author, Zeke Lam!

2011-12-07T08:26:00.000-08:00

Meet Author, Zeke Lam

From 2002 through 2010, Zeke served as Youth minister at First Bible Baptist Church in Ruckersville, Va. He regularly led youth meetings and spoke at various chapel services at the local Christian academy. During this time, Zeke also led services in the adult service on Sunday mornings and Sunday nights in the pastor’s absence.

In addition to this ministry, Zeke and his family traveled and ministered in various churches both locally and internationally. Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Thailand, and Nicaragua are among the places the Lord has taken him. Missions work is a passion of his heart.

In May of 2011, Zeke completed his undergrad work with Liberty University.

Presently, Zeke wrote his first book titled subMISSION, which is set to release December 1, 2011. He also founded subMISSION Ministries which will focus on reaching souls for Christ through writing, evangelism, and discipleship.

Zeke also owns and operates a small business called The Pottery Shed, which manufactures beautiful ornamental concrete (flower pots, bird baths, benches, etc.). This provides a means for him and his family to minster but is also a love and passion of Zeke’s.

He is very passionate about being obedient to the voice of God, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and being a Godly and loving husband and father.

About Zeke's book, subMission

What is the greatest challenge that the Church is facing today? Zeke Lam suggests that one word is the greatest challenge: submission, or the lack thereof. It is not external forces that nullify the testimony of a Christ-centered believer, but rather the failure to humbly submit to the voice of the Lord. This book will help you to live a surrendered life abiding in Christ.

 Is the approval of God more important to you than the approval of man?
 Is the presence of God evident in your life?
 Do you fiercely protect your intimacy with Christ?
 Do you desire to live a life of truth, free from the lies of the devil?
 Is God’s divine character visible to those around you?

Learn how to submit your life wholeheartedly to the Lord so that you can dwell continually in the secret place—a place of intimacy, surrender and joy.

Prepare to be stirred by this authentic calling to return to Scriptural obedience.
—Pastor Gabe Turner, The Point Church of Charlottesville, Virginia

In my opinion Zeke has laid his finger on the defining message for our time. This message is essential for believers everywhere…
—Eric Stephens, Pastor of Life Changing Ministries and Fellowship in Sugarland, Texas

check out Zeke's website for more information:
http://submissionministries.org/

And the book link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/subMISSION-heeding-only-His-voice/dp/193748100X

Thanks also to Zeke for providing a guest blog posted below.

Biblical Submission

The idea of submission is both challenging and vulnerable. Whether it be as a child or teenager, the very moment we begin to develop opinions of our own, the struggle to submit begins. Why? Well, to borrow a saying from friends at Burger King, we want to “have it our way”. This struggle takes place between parents and children, husbands and wives, bosses and employees, and must unfortunately it occurs among Christians between us and our Lord.

Submission makes us feel vulnerable. We feel like we are letting down our guard and letting another person control aspects of our life that belongs to us. Therefore, we either refuse to consent or we obey begrudgingly. As we dissect this truth concerning submission, it is critical that we keep in mind that the core of the issue is clearly a spiritual battle. The enemy and our flesh know how powerful the Christian life can be when we operate under Biblical submission. In other words, when you and I properly submit to our authority, the enemy is frightened because we are aligning our lives in proper order to see the power of Christ magnified through us.

Yes, first and foremost, our commitment is submission to the commands, leading, and voice of the Father. This is clearly taught in the Scripture; for example: Romans 13:1-7 discusses subjecting ourselves to authority yet ultimately it revolves around subjecting yourself to God. Whether it is parents or governmental officials, God establishes all authority on this earth, and when we obey His command to submit to them, we submit to Him.

Properly aligning the authority in our lives leads to a level of Biblical submission that will look strange to this world. It is just not popular in our society. This world equates submission with weakness. This could not be further from the truth!

I have spent years of my life trying to control my direction. It created a life filled with frustration. Until I relinquished to the voice of God, I did not get to experience the fullness of Christ in my life. In order to properly submit to Jesus Christ, I had to drop all my securities and desires and fall back into His arms. Everyone around me thought I was going crazy and making very un-wise decisions. Little did they know that one step of obedience was going to radically alter my family’s life.

This brief testimony leads me to the final area I want to address in relation to Biblical submission, which happens to be the theme of my first book. Submission to the leading to our Lord is the most critical move we can ever make. Personally, I did not have an issue with submitting to earthly authorities as directed in God’s Word. My struggle was being willing to trust and release fully to His voice. If we would be willing, you and I can learn the most valuable lesson in life from perhaps the dumbest animal on the planet.

Read John chapter 10. Despite their complete inability to provide for themselves, sheep have grasped a principle that we desperately need: they follow only to the voice of their shepherd. In addition to following his voice, they quickly flee any strange or threatening voices. If Christians today would operate in this fashion, a level of submission would manifest in our lives that would change this world!

God's Good Gifts to Us in 2011

2011-11-30T08:07:00.000-08:00

God’s Good Gifts to Us in 2011

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” -James 1:17

Toddler giggles and sloppy kisses
Jumping on the trampoline with our grandchildren
Snuggling on the sofa to read stories
Looking at the trees with our grandchildren and singing,
“The Trees of the Field Clap Their Hands”
Making cookies to deliver to neighbors
Friends who show up on our doorstep
Long distance grandparenting via the internet
Liberty online adjunct professorship—a direct answer to prayer
Creative expression through art, music, and writing
An intimate relationship with God made possible through the blood of Jesus
A growing marital relationship of 35 years
Time away to refresh, reflect, and rehearse God’s faithfulness
Deerwood home to house missionary children coming and going
The Holy Spirit’s conviction, counsel, and comfort
Access to the throne room of God via prayer
A church family
Extended biological family
Counseling and writing ministries
Speaking opportunities
Contract for Eileen’s next novel, Second Chance
Couples who want to make their marriages work
and are experiencing God’s victory one day at a time
Good books
The Father’s lap
God’s grace and faithfulness in the midst of unresolved real estate issues
Closure on Dale Ave. property
Grown children who love and serve the Lord
Laughter and tears and memories
Witnessing opportunities
Marriage outreach through Total Life Counseling
Open doors to be ministers of reconciliation
Opportunities to enjoy God’s creation
Specific Scriptures that target specific needs in our lives
Quiet reflection
Critique partners who keep Eileen on task in her writing
Friends who know us, yet still love us.

~~
During this Christmas season, may your heart turn to the Giver of all good gifts.

From our house to yours: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Chuck & Eileen

Lesson I Learned from a Turkey

2011-11-23T06:58:00.001-08:00

I stood before a freezer full of turkeys at the grocery store. Scavenging through the assortment of Butterballs, I spotted a particularly plump fellow resting in the back of the unit. Since I was hosting around 12 guests for Thanksgiving dinner, I wanted at least a 15 pound foul to feed my crew. Greedy for that bird and in a hurry to get out of the store and on to the next errand, I fumbled through the front line of turkeys to reach the back. As I did, one of the smaller, yet equally solid birds in the front, slid from its resting place and landed squarely on my left foot. An immediate dance ensued to the tune of “Turkey on the Toe.” My little Rumpelstiltskin tirade got me nowhere. Busy, self-absorbed shoppers passed me right and left. Suddenly, I began to feel sorry for myself and very much alone. Even a little sick at my stomach.

Collecting myself, I threw the sorry turkey back into its stall and hobbled into the next aisle, telling myself I would shop for a turkey later. Rubbing my stinging toes, I reprimanded myself for being so greedy for that particular bird. In my pain, I slowed down and began to reflect on the previous days. As I pondered the richness of my life, I began to feel less hurried, less greedy for big bird in his frozen cage. I thought about what was really important to me. As I did, the Holy Spirit filled my mind with verses from Psalm 128 that I had learned years earlier.

How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, (and so I had –parenthesis mine)
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants (indeed they were – parenthesis mine)
Around your table.

Greed turned to gratitude as I thought about my family. How God had blessed us because we revered Him above all! Our precious “olive plants” were now grown and pursuing God’s direction for their lives. Our oldest daughter, Rachel, was on her way to India, fulfilling a ten-year dream of becoming a career missionary. I thought about our second daughter, Michelle, who in a few short weeks would graduate from college with a degree in biblical counseling and marry a youth minister in the coming months. Together, she and Jonathan would serve the Lord in a new church plant in Pennsylvania. And then my mind drifted to my precious last-born, Stephanie, a senior in high school, who was earnestly seeking God’s will for the coming year.

And my heart was full. Overflowing, in fact. I was so grateful that my husband, Chuck, and I could have the privilege and responsibility of rearing three godly daughters with God’s grace and wisdom. We had drilled into them over their growing years that to glorify God in body, soul, and mind was their chief end. At each graduation we left them with the scriptural charge, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth”(3 John 4).

In that moment, as shopping carts careened around me, I inwardly breathed a thank-you prayer to my Father for 20 years of home schooling my girls and 28 years of marriage to a godly, compassionate man. Somehow, in that inner moment, the size turkey I served on Thanksgiving Day seemed trivial in light of the many blessings God had just brought to my mind. Funny how God can use even a frozen turkey on a harried lady to quiet her heart, regain her perspective, and teach her a lesson about gratitude.

~~

Today, I'm a blessed wife of 35 years, a proud mother to three married daughters, mother-in-law to three godly sons, and the grandmother of Rebekah (5), Kylie (almost 5), Daniel (3), Ethan (almost 3), Hannah (1), and Gabriel (1). My grandchildren are now like olive plants around my table! www.eileenrife.com

Time Changer

2011-10-20T05:58:00.000-07:00

My journey through the Bible has brought me to Numbers. Over and over again, the writer Moses notes that "the Lord spoke" to him. Through his servant Moses, God spoke His law, and Moses delivered His Word to the children of Israel.

This recurring phrase, "the Lord spoke," is significant. The LORD as Master is establishing His authority to instruct His people on His rules and regulations for living: everything from the Ten Commandments to regulations concerning offerings, atonement, and the practical matters of life.

To simply say, "Be moral, be nice, be good" would not be enough. His law had to be stamped with His signature, "Thus says the Lord."

This teaching occurred to me, after the fact, when my grandchild was acting up in the back seat of the car. Finally, I turned around and said, "Be nice; don't act ugly." The next morning it dawned on me that a better thing to say would have been, "It hurts grandma when you disobey your mommy. Jesus says in the Bible to obey your mommy and daddy. He wants you to listen to them because it is the right thing to do and because it will be good for you. And you will be happier for it."

With these words, I would be stating the authority upon which morality and goodness rest: the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we try to be moral and good in ourselves we fail miserably, and we are miserable. Only the righteous God of heaven can make us righteous. And this goodness comes through His perfect Son's atoning work on the Cross. It is by His authority that we can be righteous and live righteously.

Sadly, those who have taught the importance of morality without citing the authority upon which that morality rests have been deceived and are deceiving. Self-effort alone can never produce lasting goodness. Sooner or later, all human effort fails.

In Christ's righteousness alone do we stand. It is in Him that we find our life, joy, peace, and goodness.

Chuck and I viewed a movie last night that perpetuated this biblical teaching. According to the back jacket blurb, TIME CHANGER takes place "in 1890 where Bible professor Russell Carlisle has written a new manuscript entitled 'The Changing Times.' His book is about to receive a unanimous endorsement from the board members of the Grace Bible Seminary until his colleague Dr. Norris Anderson (Gavin MacLeod) raises an objection. Dr. Anderson believes that what Carlisle has written could greatly affect the future of coming generations. Using a secret time machine, Anderson sends Carlisle over 100 years into the future, offering him a glimpse of where his beliefs will lead."

Sadly, we are living that projection.

If you haven't seen this eye-opening movie, I highly recommend it, for young and old alike. We must move people back to the authority of the Word of God, for therein lies our goodness, hope, life, and future.

Thus says the Lord . . .

Am I doing what you want me to do, Lord?

2011-10-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

There are those days for a struggling writer when she wonders, "Am I doing what you want me to do, Lord?"

Yesterday was one of those days.

Invariably, God answers with a book sale or reader feedback. Within the last two days, I've gotten both.

And I hear His laughter, squeals of joy, and I join in with a great big, "Thank you, Lord!"

Without going into details, a man purchased Restored Hearts. Please pray the Lord will open his eyes to see that he can be delivered from homosexuality.

A reader sent the following email about Chosen Ones.

Mrs. Rife,

I just wanted to let you know that I was able to obtain a copy of your book "Chosen Ones," and I just finished reading it. I wish I could put into words how much it means to me that the Lord moved your heart to write this story. It is an honest depiction of the horrors of human trafficking in India, but at the same time woven into an absolutely beautiful story of redemption and healing through Christ. Thank you so much for sharing this story with me, and with all of your readers. This is such an incredible way to raise awareness about what is going on around the world and to show the hope that comes through Christ.

Blessings!

Thank you, Lord, for continuing to affirm your platform for me at this season in my life. So thrilled to be using Your gift for Your glory!

Heart Murmur

2011-10-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

I remember hearing the words, "heart murmur," from our daughter's pediatrician when she was a young child. An immediate alarm sounded in my head, quickly followed by the doctor's reassurance. "These types of murmurs are typically benign and something the child grows out of. We'll keep a watch on it."

True to his words, my daughter did grow out of it. The physical heart murmur, that is. But there was another type of heart murmur birthed in her by God that continues to grow to this day.

A spiritual heart murmur.

In my journey through Exodus of late, I learned more about this type of heart murmur in chapter 35. The children of Israel have just witnessed a reflection of God's glory through their leader. Moses met with God and the people knew it. They saw it in his countenance, his words, his actions. All of which prepared them for the task before them--building the tabernacle.

Over and over again in this chapter, the writer notes that "everyone whose heart stirred him" contributed to the construction project. Fine brooches, earrings, bracelets, articles of gold, and colorful material and animals' skins. The peoples' hearts were so stirred to give, to be a part of something greater than themselves, that they brought much more than was needed. Moses finally had to tell them to stop giving. The New American Standard translation says that Moses "restrained" them from bringing any more gifts.

How is it that a people, stiffnecked and stubborn, as we often see on their journey through the wilderness, are in fine form during this massive undertaking?

I would suggest that the heart murmur created when Moses came off Mount Sinai in meeting with God moved them from the mundane to the momentous. They now had the unique opportunity to be a part of fulfilling a piece of God's great story.

In reality, they were a part of it all along, but due to their grumbling failed to see it.

So I ask myself: When was the last time my heart was stirred to be a part of something great for God? To be so caught up in a piece of His story that I forgot about myself and put my hand to the task He has given?

Could it be possible that the greatness lies not in the project or results, but in my heart attitude?

The front lines of success are not necessarily places of greatness for God. Often, and I suspect more often than not, greatness blossoms by the bedside of a shut-in. At the sink washing dishes. On the floor playing with a toddler. In the words delivered to a grumpy spouse.

In the mundane, quietly putting one foot in front of the other, doing the next thing.

And all the while, with a heart murmur, rejoicing to be a part of God's great story.

Capture the moment?

2011-09-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

Two fawns loped through our front yard this morning. Playful, yet gaze keen as sheets of rain sliced the grey sky. According to granddaughter, Rebekah, deer in rain qualifies these gentle creatures as reindeer.

I chose not to retrieve my digital camera. Seems I run too much to capture the moment for all posterity and lose the moment at hand. It occurred to me that life comprises many such moments, stringing together a long line of worthwhile and precious God touches. Why hurry to capture one when another is on its heels?

Still, on further contemplation, it would be nice to have my own personal pic to accompany this random musing. As it was, I had to go digging . . .

And this is what I came up with. Not quite a fawn, is it? Uh, more like a bunny. . .

Well, there was one moment captured.

His Glory through Me

2011-09-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

My 'Date with Jesus' this morning took me to Exodus 34:30 as I continue to walk with the children of Israel through the wilderness.

"So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him."

Moses had spent time with God on Mount Sinai as he received the Ten Commandments from His hand. When he came off the mountain, the people noticed that his skin glowed with the glory of God.

My take-away: Am I spending enough time in God's presence to reflect His glory to others? Will they be moved to reverence the LORD by my demeanor? Will they be prompted to bow the knee to Him? Will they see His delight etched on my face?

Dorothy Sayers noted that "Where Christ is, cheerfulness will keep breaking in."

Father, Thank you that Christ lives within me through the Holy Spirit. Break in with your cheerfulness today, in the midst of the rain outside, the wilderness of continuing real estate concerns, and pressing deadlines. May all I come in contact with, sense Your glory reflected through me.

Are You a Long Distance Grandparent?

2011-09-06T07:47:00.001-07:00

Are you a long distance grandparent? In this age of technology, ideas abound for how to connect with your grandchildren. Here's one.

Using a digital camera or other recording device, video yourself reading a story. See the sample provided. With a little creativity, you can reach out to your grandchildren using the electronic toys you have on hand.

The Stranger in my Bed: Overcoming Isolation in Marriage

2011-09-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

Sierra rolled over in bed and looked at the man lying beside her. With a little less at the temples and a little more at the waistline, she hardly recognized him anymore. Who was this stranger she once knew so well?She remembered an earlier time when they would talk, sharing their hopes and dreams for the future. Now, some fifteen years later, it was the future and they rarely talked at all. They sat at the same kitchen table in the mornings, sipping coffee and scanning the newspaper. They drove to work in the same car, passed each other in the hall during lunch breaks, and came home at night to share the same dinner table. Then off to bed. Same spouse. Same routine. Same isolation day after boring day.

"What has happened to us? Why have we suddenly drifted apart?" Sierra pondered while gazing at her snoring partner.

Those are questions many couples ask years after the trip to the altar. But rarely does isolation just happen. It is years in the making, in thousands of subtle ways. Hurtful words that drive a wedge. Sarcastic glances that isolate. Games of "he said"- "she said" that separate. And before the couple realizes what is happening, they wake up strangers in a world of their own making.

Some experts call this unhappy circumstance "married singlehood." Yes, the couple is married. They have the license, cuts, and bruises to prove it. But that is about all. They are married in name only. They go about their daily lives as if they were really single.

So how can you, as a couple, overcome isolation?

Date your mate.

We encourage couples to set aside one night of the week to focus exclusively on each other. Our night is Friday night. Has been since our children were born. We have been faithful to this commitment roughly 75% of our married life. The other 25 % has been sacrificed to sickness, pressing circumstances, or special events. In order to accomplish this worthy goal over our 35 years of marriage, we have begged, borrowed, and stole (well, not exactly). Nonetheless, in the early years, we did find it necessary in times of financial “poverty” to trade off babysitting with other meager income couples. Worked great! We highly recommend it. When our oldest was mature enough to serve as babysitter, she enjoyed the chance to rule the roost for a few hours while we enjoyed a new sense of freedom. Dating your mate helps keep your love alive and gives you something special to anticipate together each week.

In their creative book, 52 Dates for You and Your Mate, Dave and Claudia Arp, founders of Marriage Alive International, offer helpful suggestions for fostering romance between the two of you, whether you are on a tight budget or whether you have big bucks to spend. While you’re getting your jacket to dash to the bookstore or running to the computer to log onto Amazon.com, we’ll offer some of our own suggestions for growing your romance. How bout a picnic in the park? Take your favorite blanket, foods, and a bottle of non-alcoholic beverage (remember: you want your love to be intoxicating, not your drink!). Maybe you could surprise your spouse with a destination unknown. Highlight one of his/her favorite activities, like playing golf or shopping. Then do something together that you both enjoy, like savoring a luscious steak dinner by candlelight. Whatever you choose, determine today to get away with your mate!

Revisit your courtship days.

Think about what drew you together in the first place. The goals you shared. The traits you admired in the other person. The places you enjoyed visiting. The activities you did together. Often this exercise helps you trudge through the muck and mire of married life and regain perspective of why you are together in the first place.

Keep the lines of communication open daily.

Our "home-base" is at the breakfast table where we take a few minutes to read some Scripture or a Christian book, pray together, and discuss concerns. We try to manage conflicts as they arise and respect the other person's viewpoint. We deal with this issue extensively in our book, Marriage with an Attitude, How to Build an Exciting Marriage with a Fantastic Attitude!

Handle anger constructively.

You've heard the old adage, "Don't go to bed mad." Well, it's older than grandma. Paul preached the same message thousands of years ago when he wrote Ephesians 4:26: "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger." Choose to forgive daily. Leave the past behind and move forward together.

Make your spouse your best friend.

To be well balanced, also include other friendships, but reserve the number one spot for your mate. Best friends risk being vulnerable, because they know the other person will still love and accept them for who they are, will challenge them to grow, and stick by them no matter what. Your spouse should be your number one support person and prayer partner.

Spend time with God together.

A great passage to quote out loud together daily or at least once a week is I Corinthians 13:4-8.Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (NASB)

Pray that God will help you overcome isolation in your relationship by taking practical steps today to move closer to one another. On a 3x5 card write down one trait you admire in your spouse. Talk about other ways you can encourage each other today. Then put into practice what you hear from your spouse.

Remember, God has an exciting path mapped out for your marriage as you recommit to love one another and serve Him with the rest of your days. Intimacy takes work, but the time and effort pay off big time with a marriage that moves closer with each passing year. Then, you won't have to wake up tomorrow morning and wonder who that stranger is in your bed!

Eileen Rife is the author of the Born for India trilogy. She and husband, Chuck, conduct marriage seminars in the States and overseas. www.eileenrife.com and www.guardyourmarriage.com.

Welcome Sandra Byrd, author of To Die For

2011-08-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

So thrilled to host author Sandra Byrd on my blog talking about her latest novel, To Die For.

Sandra, why did you write To Die For?

I am a lifelong Tudorphile, so writing books set in that era was a dream for me. I've always loved Anne Boleyn. From a faith point of view, those reformation years were critical to refinement and revival in Christianity. Yet I found that while Anne's faith, and the faith of her friends, was well covered in nonfiction, fiction often ignored or downplayed her convictions altogether, often though not always portraying her as either vixen or victim. I wanted to add some shading and nuance to the genre and telling it from Meg Wyatt's point of view allowed me to do that. The fact is, the Boleyns in general and Anne in particular were instrumental in the English Reformation. The Wyatt family, too, produced more than Thomas the poet, as much as I like him. Meg, and John Rogers, played what I think were much more significant roles.

Tell us a little bit about the book?

Meg Wyatt has been Anne Boleyn's closest friend ever since they grew up together on neighboring manors in Kent. So when twenty-five-year-old Anne's star begins to ascend, of course she takes Meg along for the ride.

Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling...at first. Meg is made mistress of Anne's wardrobe, and she enjoys the spoils of this privileged orbit and uses her influence for good. She is young and beautiful and in favor; everyone at court assumes that being close to her is being close to Anne.

But favor is fickle and envy is often laced with venom. As Anne falls, so does Meg, and it becomes nearly impossible for her to discern ally from enemy. Suddenly life's unwelcome surprises rub against court's sheen to reveal the tarnished brass of false affections and the bona fide gold of those are true. Both Anne and Meg may lose everything. When your best friend is married to fearsome Henry VIII, you may soon find yourself not only friendless but headless as well.

A rich alchemy of fact and fiction, To Die For chronicles the glittering court life, the sweeping romance, and the heartbreaking fall from grace of a forsaken queen and Meg, her closest companion, who was forgotten by the ages but who is destined to live on in our hearts forever.

What do you find most challenging about writing, Sandra?

Two things. Practically speaking, time. It takes much more time than ever before to author books. Time to research, to write, to edit, to connect with readers via the internet, to meet with people on social media and face to face. I love it all - just need four hands and two brains and forty hours in a day!

Secondly, writing books is a much more public profession than it used to be. People review your books and post their thoughts all over the web. It's so nice that people are reading, but it can be hard to wonder, every day, what people might be saying about you and your work.

How do you work through this challenge?

I'm trying to keep firm boundaries on my writing schedule, so that I am not online more than I need to be, and that I don't take on more projects than I can handle well. As for the reviews, I remind myself that I do my best to write good books and once I put the baby in the basket, as it were, it's out there to be discovered and commented upon by anyone. And that's okay.

Where can my readers find you on the web?

Please visit me online at my website http://www.sandrabyrd.com. You can also link to me on Facebook and Twitter from there. I hope your readers will also sign up for my e-postcards (where I am also giving away two Kindles) so I can keep in touch! If you’d like to visit some of the castles and palaces “virtually,” please visit the "Castles and Palaces" page on my website where there are lots of wonderful photos.

Thank you, Sandra, for joining us this week on "The Write Stuff." Much success with your novel, To Die For!

A Christian Writer's World ~~ Characters who grip your heart: CHOSEN ONES - Eileen Hinkle Rife - Free Book

2011-08-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

A Christian Writer's World ~~ Characters who grip your heart: CHOSEN ONES - Eileen Hinkle Rife - Free Book: "Welcome, Eileen Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. Are we talking percentages? Hmm . . . hard to say, but a charac..."

Drip, Drip, Splat! by Guest Blogger, Jennifer Slattery

2011-08-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had those nights when you turn off the lights and nestle into your pillow, assuming sleep will come easily, to be jolted by the most annoying sound?
Drip, drip, drip.

At first, you try to ignore it. You’ve just settled in. The last thing you want to do is get up. So you roll over and pull the pillow over your ears.
Drip, drip, drip.

How can such a soft sound be so infuriating? Your husband snores beside you, a steady, freight train type rumble that has become comforting over the years, presumably drowning out all other noise. Except that one. That faint, steady dripping that echoes from one of the numerous faucets in the house, drifting through the halls, and straight to your ears. About an hour into it, you realize you’ll never get any sleep until you find the source of your irritation. You check the master bath first. After all, it’s closest. A slight chill fills the air as your aching feet shuffle their way across the cold tile. You stand there, groggy-eyed in the dim light, straining your ears for that infuriating drip, drip, drip. Nothing! It’s stopped. And so, you crawl back into bed and nestle into the covers once again. But the minute your heavy eyes close and dreams begin to seep through your mind, it’s back.

Drip, drip, drip.

Once again, you try to ignore it. After all, you’ve slept through countless nights of your husband’s freight-train snoring. Surely you can ignore a light drizzling of water.

Drip, drip, drip.

The clock ticks. You roll on your side and once again cover your ears with a thick, fluffy pillow.

Drip, drip, drip.

A loud sigh escapes your lips. The frustration mounts until any hint of wariness is replaced by eye-opening, heart pounding, frustration. There’s no sense ignoring it anymore. Jumping out of your warm bed one more time, you resume your search. As you hurry down the hall towards bathroom number two, you catch a glimmer of yourself in the mirror. Your frustration reveals itself in a tired frown and dull, drooping eyes.
The next day, as you stand in front of your husband, hands planted firmly on your hips, your mouth flapping so quickly your lips are ready to take flight, the image that haunted you in the dim hall mirror is reflected in your husband’s eyes. You know the one I’m talking about. That look that says, “Maybe if I just sit here and nod my head, she’ll go away.” The one that tells you he hasn’t heard a word you’re saying. So what do you do? You move over a step so that your body blocks the entire television screen and raise your voice an octave, hoping to drown out the sports castor’s.

Drip, drip, drip.

“I just cleaned the bathroom. Your whiskers are everywhere. I asked you to clean them up, remember? When are you going to do it?”

Drip, drip, drip.

“I asked you to take the trash out an hour ago. All you ever do is sit in front of that television screen.”

Drip, drip, drip.

“You’re never home. You never talk to me. You never listen to me.”

Drip, drip, drip. SPLAT!

Finally, your husband can’t take it anymore. Gathering his things, he heads into the garage, pulls out the ladder and climbs his way, remote in hand, to the roof. You follow him out, your mouth moving even faster this time.

“Don’t walk away when I’m talking to you! You hear me?”

But he’s not listening. Closing his ears to the constant dripping of your voice, he’s nestled himself onto the corner of the roof. Ah, what bliss!

Proverbs 27:15-16 says, “A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil in the hand.”
I love the picture this paints. Have you ever tried to grab oil, or any liquid, with your hands? It can be rather frustrating. Just ask the BP guys. No matter how hard you concentrate, no matter how hard you grasp, the slippery stuff eludes you, blending into what would have been pure water. Eventually you give up and run for higher ground–or a rooftop.

And Proverbs 25:24 gets a giggle out of me every time, largely because I’ve seen my husband gaze longingly at our ladder more often than not. lol. “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”

Quarrelsome. Contentious. Brawling. Nagging. And about what? Dishes left on the counter? Whiskers on the sink? Dirty clothes that narrowly missed the hamper? Even though it would take us half a second to toss the clothes in the bin, we’ll go to great lengths to tell our husband all about it, even climbing up that ladder if we have to.

One evening while teaching about this very subject at a local study group, one of the ladies grew increasingly agitated. By the end of my message, she couldn’t contain herself anymore and told me, and whoever else would listen–

Drip, drip, drip.

–how appropriate it was for her to express herself, and her frustrations. “And if you’ve told them again and again,”–

Drip, drip, drip.

“And they still won’t listen”–

Drip, drip, drip.

So what had gotten her so upset? Was her husband coming home and pounding on her and the kids? Oh, no, much worse! Was he out boozing it up with a new lady on his arm every evening? Worse! So what was he doing that was so infuriating she couldn’t let it drop? What was that huge thorn in their marriage that absolutely had to be dealt with?

He was leaving his shoes piled in front of the doorway instead of placing them in the appropriate shoe holders. Now do you see why she just couldn’t let it go?
About a month ago, one of my writer friends sent out a research question. She wanted us to ask our spouses to name something we did that totally irritates them that they overlook out of love for us or an understanding that we can’t help it. It took quite a bit of prodding to get it out of my husband, but after assuring him that it would not hurt my feelings and that it would greatly help my friend, he bared all. My post-it notes, stuck to the dash of our car, the kitchen counter, mirrors, the desk, the sides of my computer screen–you name it, drove him nuts. Along with the “click, click,clicking” sound my nails make on the computer keyboard as I write. But regardless of what drove him nuts, what touched me was that I never, nope never, not once, heard about them. His reasoning, “I just figured it was more my issue than yours.” Translation: It wasn’t worth throwing garbage into our relationship. Ah, I can learn a lot from that man of mine!

Please don’t misunderstand this post. I’m not saying don’t be honest with your spouse. If something bothers you, please, bring it up. Once. Then let it go. Maybe your spouse will change that behavior. But if he doesn’t, ask yourself, “Is this really worth fighting over?”

~~

Jennifer Slattery writes for Christ to the World, the Christian Pulse, and Samie Sisters. She’s the marketing manager for the literary website, Clash of the Title, and works for Tiffany Colter the Writing Career Coach doing critiques and marketing. She’s written for numerous publications, websites, and E-zines and has placed in numerous contests. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com

About Staci Stallings, Guest Blogger on "The Write Stuff"

2011-08-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including:
Books In Print, Kindle, & FREE on Spirit Light Works:
http://stacistallings.wordpress.com/

Spirit Light Books--The Blog
http://spiritlightbooks.wordpress.com/

And…

Staci’s website
http://www.stacistallings.com

Come on over for a visit…

You’ll feel better for the experience!

I'll Win it For You by Guest Bogger, Staci Stallings

2011-08-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

The game was tight. Arch-rivals had faced off for three and a half periods in a seesaw battle that was going down to the wire. As the clock ticked down, the two sides traded the lead back and forth. Neither could be assured of victory because with the game so close, anything could happen.

From the sideline, the coach watched his team getting more and more apprehensive as the seconds ticked away. They were missing shots they never missed. They were missing opportunities they didn’t miss. Even their body language said, “This is bad. We might lose this one.”

With less than a minute left, the coach called a time out. Now he knew that every girl on that court had been over the plays a million times. They didn’t need elaborate help to set up a play for a last second win. They needed to calm down and play the way they knew how to play. So when they bent into that huddle, the coach told them something more than a little unconventional. “Go out there. Play the game. Have fun. Do your best, and I’ll win it for you.”

No pressure instructions. No you have to win this or we lose to our rivals. No anxiety-inducing strategy. Simply, “Go play, and I’ll win it for you.”
To my way of thinking, that was an audacious statement because in reality, it wouldn’t be the coach taking the shot that would win or lose the game. He would be standing on the sideline with no direct control whatsoever. However, this coach knew something about the training these girls had been through, and he knew without a doubt they could do it. The problem was they didn’t know they could do it, and so, he let them rely not on themselves for the win but on him.

The amazing thing to me when I really started thinking about this statement is that what that coach told his team is exactly what Jesus tells each one of us: “Go out there. Play the game. Have fun. Do your best, and I’ll win it for you.”

We think it’s all on us—that we have to get everything right, do everything perfectly, or our “win” will never materialize. In fact, we get sucked into this mentality that Heaven may be just out of our reach no matter what we do. However, I think the reality is that Jesus is the coach standing on the sideline having full faith that we can do everything He’s trained us to do. We can love just like He’s shown us. We can give; we can live—not because we can do it on our own but because He’s right there, and He has faith that we have been given everything we need to win through Him.

I’m sure you know the end of the story. When the buzzer sounded, the team who had just gone out, had fun, and done their best was victorious.

One day the final buzzer of your life will sound, and the question at that moment will be this: Did you allow Jesus to be your coach? Did you have faith that He would win the game for you—or are you still trying to win it yourself? It’s a question worth contemplating.

Staci Stallings (c) 2003

YESTERDAY'S TOMORROW by Cathy West on the Edgy Christian Fiction Writers blog tour, Monday, August 1

2011-07-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's Tomorrow
Vietnam, 1967.

Independent, career-driven journalist Kristin Taylor wants two things: to honor her father's memory by becoming an award-winning overseas correspondent and to keep tabs on her only brother, Teddy, who signed up for the war against their mother's wishes. Brilliant photographer Luke Maddox, silent and brooding, exudes mystery. Kristin is convinced he's hiding something.

Willing to risk it all for what they believe in, Kristin and Luke engage in their own tumultuous battle until, in an unexpected twist, they’re forced to work together. Ambushed by love, they must decide whether or not to set aside their own private agendas for the hope of tomorrow that has captured their hearts.

Catherine West
"Stories that Stir the Soul and Soothe the Spirit."
ACFW Zone 11 Beyond the Borders Director
Yesterday's Tomorrow - Available Now! - OakTara Publishers
Http://www.catherinejwest.com

MISTAKEN IDENTITY by K. Dawn Byrd on the Edgy Christian Writers blog tour, Monday, August 1

2011-07-29T13:05:00.001-07:00

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Mistaken Identity, her first young adult romance released on June 15 from Desert Breeze Publishing. Queen of Hearts, a WWII romantic suspense released in April 2010 and was the bestselling book for her publisher during its debut month. Killing Time, a contemporary romantic suspense, released August 1, also with Desert Breeze Publishing.

K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Book Blurb for Mistaken Identity
Eden Morgan longs for a boyfriend of her own, an impossible goal when her best friend, Lexi Branson, gets all the attention and all the guys. When they fall in love with the same guy, Eden believes she doesn't have a chance. She can only hope that sometimes the good girl gets the guy.

The Passion Behind the Story:
I admire Christian teenagers who take a stand for God so much. Life isn't easy for them in today's world. The idea for Mistaken Identity novel came to me when I wondered what would happen if a Christian girl and her non-Christian best friend fell in love with the same guy. To sweeten the plot, the best friend is a "wild child" who is popular with the guys if you know what I mean. Who will win the guy? My Christian good girl or the gorgeous best friend?

This book is dedicated to Christian young women who strive to live for Christ and wonder at times if it's worth it all. Temptation seems to come from all sides and sometimes it's hard to make the right decision. May God bless you richly as you carry on...

Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geWeGQ6Ueu4
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-178/K-Dawn-Byrd-Mistaken/Detail.bok
www.kdawnbyrd.com
www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

CHOSEN ONES, on the Edgy Christian Fiction Writers blog tour, Monday, August 1

2011-07-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

A couple in crisis. A child taken captive. Life in Chennai, India is complicated. While Maggie and Gavin Munsfield adjust to a new baby, missionary friends Dan and Yvonne Pratt experience the heartbreak of infertility and miscarriage. When their lives intersect with a young girl caught up in the horrors of sex trafficking, each of them will receive a precious gift. But will they find it in their hearts to accept an outcome so different than what they expected and hoped for?

RESTORED HEARTS, on the Edgy Christian Fiction Writers Blog Tour, Monday, August 1

2011-07-29T12:51:00.001-07:00

One brother’s dark secret. Another brother’s scorn. Newlyweds Gavin and Maggie Munsfield return to care for the sick and wounded at the Oasis Compound in Chennai, India, which is still suffering from the recent tsunami. Gavin’s brother, Tim, a landscape artist from Boston, joins the couple for the clean-up and rebuilding of the Compound. But Tim harbors a dark past that threatens to destroy his relationship with his brother . . . and a promising new love.Will family ties be strong enough to bind two wounded hearts, once the secret is revealed?

Music in the Trees

2011-07-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

“Grandma, what is that?” Two-year-old Daniel cocked his head, gaze raised to the sky.

“What, Daniel?” I stooped beside him and studied his pudgy face.

He pointed to the trees. “That sound.”

I strained to listen for what I had not slowed down long enough to absorb. My eyes and ears had been intent on adult concerns, not tuned in with a childlike wonder that recognizes the natural world around me.

“Cicadas, Daniel. That is the sound of cicadas.”

Satisfied by my response, Daniel shuffled to the sandbox where he proceeded to sift the grains through his fingers. With a Grinch grin, he plopped a fistful on top of his head.

Daniel’s curiosity that day tweaked mine. His acuity stimulated a hunger in me to listen more and appreciate the sounds around me, not just for the sake of the exercise, but for the meaning I might derive from it.

That meaning beamed with significance just this morning. Cicadas jiggled their tiny tambourines, accompanied by an occasional maraca flourish. Joined by male katydids and crickets, the symphonic serenade to attract the female of the species filled the mid-summer air with song, a tune that will come to a close when the first heavy frost quiets the chorus.

The Creator has equipped these minuscule creatures with a variety of sound-producing organs. Tymbal muscles, located at the base of the abdomen, contract and relax to create the cicadas’ prolific buzzing sound. Katydids and crickets rub their fore-wings together to produce music.

Swept up by insect song, I joined in praise to my Creator, raising my hands to the heavens. Francis of Assisi, a Catholic friar and preacher, penned it well in his hymn, All Creatures of Our God and King. He created music with words when he wrote about “the burning sun with golden beam, the silver moon with softer gleam . . . the rushing wind that is so strong, the clouds that sail in heaven along . . . and the flowers and fruits that in God grow.”

Building with intensity, Francis urged “all ye men of tender heart, forgiving others, take your part . . . let all things their Creator bless, and worship Him in humbleness. O praise Him! Alleluia! Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three in One: O praise Him, O praise Him! Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia!”

This is the song I hear in the insect chorus, and with gratitude and humility I pause to praise my Creator . . . and thank Daniel as well.

RENU: Wonderful Weekend with Extended Family!

2011-07-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

A funny thing happened on the way to a wonderful weekend with extended family . . .

On Rt. 73 headed toward Peebles, Ohio, Chuck and I drove the country road while gazing at cornfields and scattered clapboard housing. On one porch sat Ma and Pa in their rockers, watching the confused motorists (us!) drive back and forth down the same road. Well, perhaps I'm stretching the tale a bit. We drove past the same house once in our search for the sign to Hillsboro. Was that a smirk on Ma's face?

Ma must be a take-charge kind of woman. We passed row after row of utility poles leaning toward the road. Perhaps her chief complaint was poor cell phone service, so the company sent someone out to aim the pole in her direction. Who knows?!

We thought about stopping and asking Ma if we were headed in the right direction, but when we came up on the sign, "Otway," we figured that was her way of saying, "At-a-way!" so kept on going.

Once we approached the one traffic light which hung from a tree branch overhanging the road, all sorts of wild imaginings flitted through our little brains. Perhaps Ma, tired of holding the light herself, had called a council meeting to make other arrangements. Thus, the tree branch.

Tales of Ma kept us giggling until we passed a horse pasture full of Shetlands, along with two nursing babies, no bigger than huskies. Of course, we had to stop and pet a horse face. However, the babies wouldn't let us get close. Instead they galloped to the safety of their mommies and nursed.

Back in the Chevy, we finally arrived in Peebles and climbed the hill to the Woodland Altars office. Close behind were Verns and Toms.

What followed was a rich weekend of sharing scriptures, prayer, praise, songs, laughter, and tears as we took turns relating how God was working in our lives. A dip in the camp pool and a hike or two along a trail provided some exercise and rounded out the weekend quite nicely.

A trip to the cathartic . . . uh, is that north of the Artic? Anyway, very therapeutic and enriching weekend.

Truly, a RENU (Rife Empty Nesters Unite), but also renewing for spirit, soul, and body.

Thanks, sibs, and thanks, Lord, for the time away to love and be loved by family members.

Book Trailer for Shadowed in Silk

2011-07-18T09:39:00.001-07:00

Introducing Shadowed in Silk by Christine Lindsay

2011-07-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

She was invisible to those who should have loved her.

After the Great War, Abby Fraser returns to India with her small son, where her husband is stationed with the British army. She has longed to go home to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but Nick has become a cruel stranger. It will take more than her American pluck to survive.

Major Geoff Richards, broken over the loss of so many of his men in the trenches of France, returns to his cavalry post in Amritsar. But his faith does little to help him understand the ruthlessness of his British peers toward the Indian people he loves. Nor does it explain how he is to protect Abby Fraser and her child from the husband who mistreats them.

Amid political unrest, inhospitable deserts, and Russian spies, tensions rise in India as the people cry for the freedom espoused by Gandhi. Caught between their own ideals and duty, Geoff and Abby stumble into sinister secrets . . . secrets that will thrust them out of the shadows and straight into the fire of revolution.

Welcome author, Christine Lindsay!

2011-07-18T09:25:00.001-07:00

Christine Lindsay writes historical Christian inspirational novels with strong love stories. She doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects such as the themes in her debut novel SHADOWED IN SILK which is set in India during a turbulent era.

Christine’s long-time fascination with the British Raj was seeded from stories of her ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in India. SHADOWED IN SILK was the Gold winner of the 2009 ACFW Genesis for Historical under the title Unveiled.

Shadowed in Silk is being released by WhiteFire Publishing in 2 stages this year, first as an eBook on May 1, 2011, and as the printed version Sept. 2011.

An interesting note about the front cover of Shadowed, is that the model is Christine’s daughter, Sarah, whom she relinquished to adoption and was reunited with 20 years later. Sarah is also featured in the book trailer.

Shadowed in Silk available now as ebook on http://www.amazon.com

http://www.christinelindsay.com

Meet author, Judi Ann Ehresman

2011-07-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

Judi Ann Ehresman grew up in her favorite place in the world: Indiana, USA. She married the love of her life, becoming a pastor's wife and, in time, the mother of two precious boys. Through the years she has owned and managed several businesses, but never lost the love instilled in her heart by her high school English teacher: writing.

Judi, how did you come to be a writer?

Honestly, I think I was born 'writing'. I was making up stories when I was a child and did free lance writing and loved essay assignments all through High School. In college several of my poems and essays were published and I was addicted. Through the years I've taken writing classes and attended writers conferences, but mostly I've just written and written and written. Poems, free lance articles, short stories and devotionals have been published throughout the years, but it wasn't until our children left home that I finally made the time to start writing books, three of which have been published to date, two more are completed and waiting publication at the publisher.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?

Reading and gardening! And, of course, grandmothering! I love flowers and fresh vegetables and I love to read uplifting Christian fiction for relaxation, but nothing compares to spending time with our grandchildren. They are our true riches and I can't get enough of them!

Here's a sneek peek at Judi's latest three novels.

The Hand of God series

The Long Road Home (1)

A lonely settler.

An escaped slave.

They had no idea how much they would need each other . . .

Mandy Evanston didn't expect to spend five months alone in the wilds of Indiana after taking the wagon train west. But her husband, Ethan, is convinced he can make money working on the new railroad. It wouldn't be fair to hold him back, Mandy decides, so she keeps her secret close to her heart . . . until his return.

Diedre, a young slave, flees a Southern plantation when she hears that her master is going to sell her son, Jedediah. She walks north for weeks, praying that somehow God will hear the pleas of her heart to find a home . . .

A poignant story of friendship, love, and forgiveness that transcends boundaries.

On the Wings of Grace (2)

Two longing hearts.
They had no idea how much they would need each other . . .

Bess, the "mistake" of a prostitute in the largely unsettled Midwest, knew no other life growing up than the brothel, where she was raised, then taught her profession. In spite of warnings about falling in love with her customers, Bess found herself intrigued by one man who tugged at her heart, then mysteriously disappeared. Weeks later he returned to share a story so amazing that she began to wonder, Might there be a new chance even for someone like me?

Robert Sheldon agonizes as he watches polio slowly take its toll on his beautiful wife, Anita. He has his hands full with an invalid, four energetic children, and a farmhouse and desperately needs help. But might his help come in a completely differentt way than he expects--on the wings of grace?

A poignant story of redemption that transcends the boundaries of ordinary love.

Where Two Agree (3)

Two slaves, separated by a cruel master.
Their hearts' desire--to find each other again.

Deidre, a runaway slave, and her son, Jedediah, are thankful for their new life with Ethan and Mandy Evanston, who treat them as treasured family members. But memories of her beloved Jeremiah, sold away from her, fill her heart with anguish.

Jeremiah has been offered a document of freedom--and wages that could buy his family from slavery--if he chooses to stay at Rose Hill Plantation. When kind Mr. Wally takes deathly ill, Miss Sue Ellen and the children desperately need Jeremiah. But what about his own dreams?

As Deidre and Jeremiah cling to their hopes for a someday world that won't see the color of their skin, might God's promise come true: that where two agree, all things are possible?

Check out these summer reads at www.amazon.com and other online stores.
Visit Jud's blog: judi.ehresman.org

Thanks, Judi, for visiting with me today!

Made a New Friend Today

2011-07-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

Made a new friend today! I met another real live OakTara author right here in Roanoke! For a writer cooped up in her cage all day, it felt good to break free and visit with a kindred spirit.

Judi Ehresman and I talked about everything from grandchildren and gardening to writing tips and house decor. Lovely tea time with a beautiful lady who I suspect I'll be visiting with again in the near future.

Judi has written several novels, three of which I toted home, excited to devour. . .

More later on that! Hubby just walked in the door ready for supper, so off I go.

Thanks, Judi, for a delightful afternoon visit!

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

2011-06-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

I've been reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. "A dare to live fully right where you are."

Her premise: Gratitude can awaken joy!

Here's 42 items on my list so far, in no particular order:

1. Green, everywhere!
2. Clock ticking
3. Soft chair
4. Barefeet on cool linoleum
5. Husband who loves me
6. God, who loves me even more
7. Children who walk with God
8. Six grandchildren who awaken my heart to what's really important
9. Giggles and grins
10. Wisdom from above
11. Jesus' blood
12. Forgivenesss
13. Healing
14. The Holy Spirit
15. Water
16. Rain
17. My garden
18. Whistlepigs eating mangos
19. Chocolate smoothies
20. Neighbors who watch out for each other
21. Weeping willows
22. Carrot juice
23. Walks
24. Jobs
25. Music
26. Bubbles
27. Belly laughter
28. Cuddling in bed
29. Reading in bed
30. Good books
31. Friends who pray
32. The Word of God
33. Moonlight on my pillow
34. Morning devotion time with Chuck
35. Purpose
36. A mind
37. Strength
38. Hugs
39. Hands that work
40. Soft puppies
41. Sunsets
42. Leaves that clap in the wind

God Loves Everyone!

2011-06-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

I was saddened this morning when I encountered a gentleman who insisted that God hates homosexuals. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Let's use the Bible to set the record straight . . .

Jesus says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (NIV).

Jesus presented the perfect balance of conviction and compassion, truth and grace. He extended His hand and heart to all. He came to restore us to the Father. Anyone who desires to come can drink freely of His living water, which will become "in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life"(John 4:14).

Furthermore, Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."

Notice that homosexuality is only one among many sins which Paul condemns. The good news is that through Christ the Corinthian believers had been washed, sanctified, and justified. In short, they had been forgiven by the blood of Christ and restored to the Father.

If God hates homosexuals, then he hates us all, for we are all sinners and worthy of eternal damnation. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Through Christ alone are we made right before God.

The Cross stands forever as proof that God loves everyone!

For Writers: How do you go about "constructing" a character?

2011-06-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

How do you go about "constructing" a character?

For Writers: This Week's Question

2011-06-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

How do you decide which writing project to tackle next?

Add Some Romance to Your Marriage this Summer!

2011-06-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Watch the 21 Day Romance Challenge video clip.

Leave a comment about what you will do to add some romance to your marriage this summer, and automatically enter the drawing for a gift card to Bath & Body!

Drawing: July 17 (our 35th anniversary!)

Can't wait to read your ideas!

When posting, please include your contact information.

Peter Rabbit, or Is It Paula?

2011-06-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Relishing in a before-supper snooze on the blanket in my side yard. I look up, and there s/he is again--my garden bunny. Sometimes s/he brings along another rabbit to nibble clover. But right now, s/he's alone. I inch my way closer. S/he stays put. Closer. No bolting. Closer. I think we're becoming friends. I can almost reach out and touch her silky fur.

With the bunnies, squirrels, plethora of birds, and whistlepig (the size of a very large cat), our woods and yard are a natural habitat for VA critters.

I like that. For now, anyway.

Welcome, K. Dawn Byrd to The Write Stuff this week!

2011-06-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Mistaken Identity, her first young adult romance released on June 15 from Desert Breeze Publishing. Queen of Hearts, a WWII romantic suspense released in April 2010 and was the bestselling book for her publisher during its debut month. Killing Time, a contemporary romantic suspense, released August 1, also with Desert Breeze Publishing.

K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Book Blurb:
Eden Morgan longs for a boyfriend of her own, an impossible goal when her best friend, Lexi Branson, gets all the attention and all the guys. When they fall in love with the same guy, Eden believes she doesn't have a chance. She can only hope that sometimes the good girl gets the guy.

The Passion Behind the Story:
I admire Christian teenagers who take a stand for God so much. Life isn't easy for them in today's world. The idea for Mistaken Identity novel came to me when I wondered what would happen if a Christian girl and her non-Christian best friend fell in love with the same guy. To sweeten the plot, the best friend is a "wild child" who is popular with the guys if you know what I mean. Who will win the guy? My Christian good girl or the gorgeous best friend?
This book is dedicated to Christian young women who strive to live for Christ and wonder at times if it's worth it all. Temptation seems to come from all sides and sometimes it's hard to make the right decision. May God bless you richly as you carry on...

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geWeGQ6Ueu4
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-178/K-Dawn-Byrd-Mistaken/Detail.bok
www.kdawnbyrd.com
www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Please leave a comment to automatically enter the drawing for a GIFT CARD FOR A FREE DOWNLOAD OF DAWN'S NOVEL, MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Chosen Ones, latest release in the Born for India trilogy, Take all three books to the beach this summer!

2011-06-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

RESTORED HEARTS, your next summer read?

2011-06-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

Tranquil Moments book trailer

2011-05-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Take a vacation from your armchair! Step into Maui via Tranquil Moments. A travel log with spiritual flair. Thirty-one vignettes teach a biblical lesson with gorgeous Maui as a backdrop.

So pour a glass of your favorite beverage, pull up a chair, put your feet up, and enjoy a Tranquil Moment!

http://www.amazon.com

Intriguing Tablescapes at the Festival of Tables Today!

2011-05-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

Lovely Day with the Lovely Ladies of Mineral Springs Baptist!

2011-05-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

"Let the Journey Begin!" was the topic of today's talk at Mineral Springs Baptist.

Sample quick clips of various speaking venues provided in this video.

Interview Today!

2011-05-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

Check out http://sandraardoin.wordpress.com

Part one interview. Discover some new stuff you may not have known about the penning of CHOSEN ONES.

Well, Lookey there!

2011-05-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

Look who helped me craft my door wreath this year!

Lean in, look closely, and you'll notice a bird nest in the center. No eggs yet. I think the mommy and daddy gave up the project when they spotted me standing on the flower urn peeking inside the nest. Oops!

Juice Skies, and other cute kid quips

2011-05-17T10:51:00.001-07:00

Have a cute kid quip you want to share?

I am compiling a gift book (on spec) full of cute kid and grandkid quotes. If you have one you would like to submit, send your cute kid quip to the following email address:

eileenrife@yahoo.com

In the subject line write "Kid Quote."

Please include your full name and email address along with your quote.

If your quote is used, I will contact you. Your attribution will be included in the book, and you will receive a complimentary copy of the published book. Working title: Juice Skies, and other cute kid quips.

Look forward to reading your cute kid quip!

Spring Fling Gals: Mom/Daughter Outing

2011-05-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Getting away from six little ones four and under is not an easy task for a mommy! With the help of the daddies and grandpa, the girls and I were able to get away for some much-needed girl time. Hit the yard sale circuit and enjoyed a leisurely lunch out with no faces to wipe or spills to clean up. :)

Journey to Judah Book Trailer

2011-05-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

Search Results for Keyword: Eileen rife - CheapestBookPrice.com

2011-05-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

Search Results for Keyword: Eileen rife - CheapestBookPrice.com

One stop comparison shopping for all my books at the lowest prices.

Home - Healing Words for Hurting Hearts

2011-05-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Home - Healing Words for Hurting Hearts

Did you know?

2011-04-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Did you know that CHOSEN ONES not only profiles the issue of sex trafficking but other issues as well?

My protagonist Yvonne struggles to come to terms with her infertility, then miscarriage. Based on my own experience, Yvonne's account reflects the heart of thousands of women who have faced the reality of infertility and miscarriage.

Not only does CHOSEN ONES paint a realistic portrait of this often misunderstood loss, but it also provides supplemental information about miscarriage at the end of the novel.

According to Hank Pizer and Christine O-Brien Palinsik, authors of Coping with a Miscarriage, "A miscarriage is a sudden, unexpected, and shocking loss of life. It shatters your hopes for children and fills you with doubts about the future . . . it is normal to have many strong and unpleasant emotions associated with it."

If you or someone you know has suffered or is suffering from this special kind of loss, you may find CHOSEN ONES a valuable read as you walk this healing journey.

Tell About Your Favorite Vacation and Enter to Win a Copy of Tranquil Moments

2011-04-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

May is right around the corner! This gorgeous Virginia weather makes me think of vacation time.

One of my favorite vacation spots is Maui. I enjoyed it so much I returned home and wrote a book about what I saw and experienced.

What's your favorite vacation spot?

Tell us about it and automatically enter to win a copy of Tranquil Moments, Spiritual Refreshment from the Island of Maui.

Winner announced June 1st!

Can't wait to read your vacation ideas!

In the Night Watches

2011-04-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

IN THE NIGHT WATCHES

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

Psalm 63:6

Over 73 million Americans experience difficulties either falling asleep or staying asleep. One in six adults recognizes that a sleep problem is a prominent issue affecting their lives.

A good night’s sleep is crucial to a person’s overall wellbeing. Many reasons exist for sleep disturbances, some physical, others emotional, mental, or spiritual. If disrupted sleep is negatively influencing your daily routine, then you should seek medical attention to discover the underlying cause.

Job performance, relationships, and health are all negatively affected by lack of sleep. Certainly, our heavenly Father desires that His precious children enjoy a good night’s sleep so that we can serve Him with full energy and enthusiasm. Psalm 4:8 says, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

How then can we assure that when we lay our heads down on the pillow tonight we will wake up refreshed in the morning?

☼ Adequately prepare for sleep.

I always prided myself on being able to sleep any time, any where, all the way through the night. Until perimenopause. Now I snap awake, typically at least one or two times during the night. Thankfully, on most occasions, I fall back asleep quickly. Knowing that sleep has become somewhat of a challenge, I now give thoughtful care to preparing myself for a sufficient night’s rest. I find that I sleep better if I don’t eat anything after 7:30 p.m. Taking a relaxing bubble bath or soak in the hot tub, then going to bed around 9:00 p.m. while listening to soothing music has been a great help also. Sometimes I read a few pages in a book to provoke sleep. Furthermore, eliminating television consumption at night aids rest. A friend of mine has discovered that taking a calcium supplement before bed assists sleep.

In addition to preparing physically, I also prepare spiritually by talking to the Lord. I once saw a church marquee that said, “When you have trouble falling asleep, don’t count sheep, talk to the Shepherd.” I shared that with a friend who responded, “Yeah, I like that. By the way,” she commented, “I was wondering, when sheep can’t sleep, do they count people?” Anyhoo….

Praying for the people and situations that pass through my mind sure beats worrying about them and gives me something productive to do while I fall asleep. I view my “wake-up calls” later in the night as divine appointments to invest in the Kingdom through prayer. Rather than fighting periods of sleeplessness, I work with them, turning them into opportunities to worship and reflect.

Quoting Scripture is a great way to relax in the Savior’s arms and allow Him to soothe me mentally and emotionally. I often picture Him holding me and rocking me to sleep. Sometimes, I focus on a place of serenity, such as the quiet waters or green pastures of Psalm 23, or the warm sand and ocean spray of the beach. I spread out in the waves and let them buoy me along, completely and totally relaxed.

Other times I think of all the things I have to be thankful for. I choose to focus on what is true, good, right, lovely, and excellent, as Paul urges me to do in Philippians 4:8. Sometimes when my mind is working overtime, I couple praise with a deep breathing exercise, slowly inhaling through my nose as I lay there in the dark, and then releasing the air slowly through my mouth.

Am I a hundred percent consistent in these practices? No, but I’m growing in my portfolio of ways to manage sleep so that I can function adequately during the day. Speaking of the day, I also try to catch at least a ten-twenty minute power nap after lunch before jumping back into work. If you work outside the home, you can do this on your lunch break by closing your eyes and laying your head on your desk or retreating to an employee lounge for a few minutes of down time. While you’re at it, take a one minute vacation, picturing yourself in a pleasant place of your choice. Then follow that mental exercise with a few deep breathing exercises.

Eileen Hinkle Rife is author of the Born for India trilogy. Her devotional book, Tranquil Moments provides spiritual, emotional, and mental refreshment through both scripture and the island of Maui. www.eileenrife.com

Priceless

2011-04-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

American photojournalist Stuart Daniels on assignment in Russia unexpectedly steps into the world of organized crime via sex trafficking. At first a reluctant participant in a rescue operation, Daniels discovers he is compelled to help these children who are being exploited by a system he never dreamed possible. In the process he finds his own faith in God.

Priceless effectively captures the dark and demonic world of trafficking tied in with old Russian roots of communism and religion, an unlikely mix, but chillingly portrayed in this haunting novel.

Priceless reverberates in the soul long after the last page is read and the cover closed.

Check out Priceless by author, Tom Davis.

www.amazon.com

America Meets India

2011-04-16T08:29:00.001-07:00

Why I Wrote RESTORED HEARTS

2011-04-15T17:10:00.001-07:00

My burden in writing Book 2 RESTORED HEARTS in the Born for India trilogy:

1. To present a mix of conviction and compassion, truth and grace. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reveals both of these aspects when it addresses the issues of homosexuality along with a list of other sins the Corinthian believers had been delivered from.

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Yes, homosexuality is a sin, but it is a sin no worse than any other sin.

2. To show that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Jesus invites us ALL to come and find cleansing through His shed blood.

3. To show that we can be delivered from all manner of sin through the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor.6:11).

4. To provoke believers to show compassion to the person who may be sitting right next to them in the church pew and struggling with same-sex attraction, but will not speak up for fear of being pounced upon.

As a Christ-follower, I desire to reach out to people with healing words. Prayerfully those words will always be a mix of biblical truth and grace, welcoming the sinner home into the arms of Jesus.

Roanoke Writer Not Afraid To Tackle Tough Subjects | News Roanoke

2011-04-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

Roanoke Writer Not Afraid To Tackle Tough Subjects | News Roanoke

Meet Me at My Blog Celebration Party!

2011-04-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

Yep, you've come to the right place!

From April 6 to April 15, I am hosting a celebration party, complete with two drawings.

Leave a comment and automatically enter. Two prizes:

A signed copy of CHOSEN ONES

Or

A gift certificate to Starbucks

Invite your friends to the party!

Book Club or Bible Study Questions for Chosen Ones

2011-04-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

In Chosen Ones, Eileen Rife has highlighted what may be the worst human rights violation of the 21st century – human trafficking. As part of an organization that is working to stop child prostitution, I have seen countless real-life cases just as tragic as the story Eileen has told in her most recent novel. Change the name, age, city and country, and you have the story of millions of children who are trapped in a life of abuse. Eileen paints a tragic but true picture of a victim of forced prostitution, but also gives hope in telling of the dedicated men and women who risk their lives daily to rescue these children. I pray that all who read this book might be moved, not just to tears, but to action. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. Ps. 82:4

Barbara Everett, Director, Destiny Rescue USA, Inc.

Each of my novels comes with discussion questions at the end of the book. I post them here to wet your appetite. Perhaps your book club or Bible study group would enjoy reading CHOSEN ONES and interacting with the questions. I'd love to hear some of your responses!

In fact, if you contact me and mention that YOUR group has read and discussed one of my books, I will GIFT you with a complimentary book of your choice.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1)How does the happy picture of Maggie and Gavin’s family life upset Yvonne?

2)How does Yvonne handle her feelings?

3)Read the account of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15-18:1-15.

4)In what tangible way does God assure Abraham that He will fulfill His promise?

5)How does Sarah take matters into her own hands?

6)Who appears to Abraham and Sarah and assures them that God will indeed give them a biological son? What is Sarah’s reaction?

7) What situation are you facing right now in which you need to trust the Lord? Ask yourself the same question Abraham’s visitor asked him in Genesis 18:14: Is anything too hard for the Lord?

8)Read Genesis 29:31-30:25. How did the sister-tag team deal with infertility?

9)Read 1 Samuel, chapter one. Describe Hannah’s reaction to infertility. How did her husband respond?

10) In what ways has God equipped women for motherhood? What feelings are created when a woman can’t have a child? How can a woman put her mothering instincts to good use?

11) Maggie shares 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 with Yvonne in an effort to encourage her to use her pain to comfort others. What difficulty are you currently facing? How has God comforted you? In what ways can you use that comfort to minister to others?

12) How might a woman view her infertility as a gift?

13) What symptoms might an abuse victim exhibit?

14) Dan and Gavin suggest posing either as clients or traffickers to rescue Geetika. Is it ever right to deceive in order to do God’s work? For further study, read Exodus, chapter one and Joshua, chapter two.

15)) When Dan meets Randy, he is surprised by Randy’s positive attitude. Randy tells him that he chooses to dwell on the good, right, and lovely. Can you think of a passage of Scripture that supports that idea?

16) When Dan arrives at Hope’s Doors, Randy tells him that Vladimir Hochek brings in a quarter million dollars per month per brothel. Why do you think the sex industry is such a profitable undertaking? How does Satan use sexual perversion to distort the gospel message?

17) While Maggie and Yvonne sort through baby clothes, they discuss how a loving God can permit such evil to occur in the world. How would you explain this dilemma to someone who might ask you?

18) Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be more desired than great riches.” What do you think that means? How might this story illustrate that truth?

19)Dan admitted to being one of those who would like to ignore human slavery. What changed that attitude for him?

20)What characteristics of a sexual abuse victim might be good to know in order to help her?

21)List the six “I am” statements that can help a girl solidify her true identity.

22)Miscarriage is a loss that is often misunderstood. According to Hank Pizer and Christine O-Brien Palinski, authors of Coping with a Miscarriage, “a miscarriage is a sudden, unexpected, and shocking loss of life. It shatters your hopes for children and fills you with doubts about the future . . . it is normal to have many strong and unpleasant emotions associated with it.” With this in mind, how might you minister to a woman who has experienced a miscarriage?

23)Someone once said, “The sun is still shining even when we can’t see it.” How might that thought help someone whose grief has distorted the face of God?

24)Read Proverbs 24:11, Ecclesiastes 4:1, James 1:27, and Matthew 25:31-46. How might these passages motivate you to get involved in helping others?

25)What can you learn from Genesis 50:20 about forgiveness?

26)Read Ephesians, chapter one. Label all the wonderful words that describe you as a chosen one of God.

27)Which character(s) do you identify with the most in this story?

28)Has this story prompted you to gain a deeper appreciation for the needy in our world? How so? What will you do about the new insight the Lord has given you?

29)What would you like to ask the author if she were sitting across from you?

A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance

2011-03-30T12:50:00.001-07:00

I was immediately intrigued when I learned of another OakTara author, Keith McDonald, who has written about the topic of sex trafficking. His compelling novel, A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance, is especially pertinent to me since my daughter, Stephanie, and husband, Matt, are training to minister to victims of the sex trade. Furthermore, Matt’s parents serve as missionaries in Cambodia, the setting for the story.

McDonald captured me from page one with his intricate and gentle description of Devi’s dance. He paints a picture of Cambodian village farm-life with richly meaningful and sweet family connections.

In stark contrast comes the fatal explosion only pages later that claims Devi’s hut, her father, and her dear Granny. On the prowl, Ban Rath, ruthless trafficker, is to blame. He wants beautiful Devi since she is prized as a Khmer dancer.

She and little brother, Rithy, now both orphaned, have no money and nowhere to go. Still, they flee to Tonle Sap Lake to escape Ban Rath. They long to reach Kompong Chhnang, home to the famous school of Khmer dance.

Enter reluctant Dr. Tom Whitby on route to Cambodia for six months to assist his father-in-law in treating iodine deficiency disorders at the urging of his wife, Jane.

MacDonald effectively builds tension and suspense as Devi and Rithy run for their lives. In the brother and sister interaction, he provides touches of humor and tugs at the heartstrings as the twosome scramble to survive.

I found my heart racing, caught up in the raw fear of their escape through the jungle while at the same time entering into their loving, protective bond as sister and brother. MacDonald keeps me on the edge of my seat with every twig snap and every new face. Is it Ban Rath?

A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance is a page turner that awakened me to the treacherous history of Cambodia, the tragic trade of human beings, and the brave individuals who risk their lives to rescue victims and transport them to safety.

I highly recommend this thrilling and informative read, for the issue of sex trafficking not only impacts Southeast Asia, but America as well.

Book Signing at the Silver Boxes Ladies Luncheon/Lakeside Baptist

2011-03-19T13:35:00.001-07:00

Where could you find elephants, palm trees, brass bowls and wooden trays filled with exotic spices (cardamon, cinnamon, cumin, and curry), along with alot of books?

At my book table during the Silver Boxes Ladies Luncheon hosted by Lakeside Baptist in Salem, Virginia!

How meaningful to share with table visitors the story behind CHOSEN ONES, first inspired by two of my daughters whose burden for sex trafficked girls became my own, and thus the seed of inspiration behind CHOSEN ONES, Book Three in the Born for India trilogy.

Two of my special visitors actually helped me design the table layout, unload items/books and pack back up! What faithful little helpers! And with such interest in the land of India and the mission work going on there.

God's Grace, and the Homosexual Next Door

2011-03-15T09:08:00.001-07:00

Since publishing RESTORED HEARTS, Book Two in the Born for India trilogy, which profiles a Christian man’s struggle with homosexuality, I have been on the lookout for additional resources that address the restoration and freedom one can experience in loving relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door is just such a resource.

Alan Chambers and the leadership team at Exodus International combine their stories and expertise in this compelling, compassionate book addressing the issue of outreach to the homosexual. Exodus is a Christian organization that serves as an arm of the local church to minister to men, women, and youth who struggle with unwanted homosexuality.

God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door opens with a twenty-question quiz to test the reader’s knowledge about homosexuality. Answers are then given throughout the book chapters with the same quiz posted at the back of the book with answers and brief explanations. A helpful Resource List is also included at the end of the book.

As I read through the testimonies, studies, and sound, well-researched material, I noted several key themes:

1) Healing of homosexuality, and any sin for that matter, takes place in the context of community, i.e. a loving body of believers.

2) There is no hierarchy of sin. ALL sin is abominable to God. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Therefore, homosexuality is no worse than any other sin.

3) Homosexuality is a relational dysfunction. It results from a person trying to meet a God-given need for love and acceptance in an ungodly way.

4) The opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality—it’s holiness.

5) The best evangelism to the homosexual is done through friendship.

Eye-opening chapters include topics such as demystifying homosexuality, developing a Christlike attitude toward homosexuals, the change process, understanding the three degrees of homosexuality, the church’s attitude toward homosexuals, five things not to do when reaching out to the homosexual, and ministry to homosexual young people and to the lesbian. The book closes with 25 questions and answers about gay ministry and five stories from those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus Christ.

The book challenged my thinking, broke my heart, and moved me to become more sensitive to those who battle unwanted homosexuality. Among the many valuable quotes was Mike Haley’s comment: “I have never met a woman or man who left homosexuality who didn’t do it without taking the outstretched hand of someone else. Because we’re broken relationally, we’re restored relationally” (p.199). What a powerful reminder to reach out in faith rather than retreat in fear when considering befriending a homosexual neighbor, coworker, or family member.

I highly recommend God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door if you have a heart that longs to minister to this hurting population of people.

Sold

2011-03-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Sold

She could be your daughter, your sister, or your niece. She is one of 3000-5000 children sold or lured into forced prostitution every day. She is raped repeatedly, beaten, drugged, and left for dead. Traded as a commodity on the black market, she is a victim of the sex industry, the second largest area of organized crime in the world.

Four years ago when I was brainstorming characters and plot for my third novel, Chosen Ones, in the Born for India trilogy, my youngest daughter and her husband awakened me to the horrific crime of human trafficking. Up until that time I had no awareness that 27 million slaves existed in our world, generating $32 billion in revenue each year. I did not know that there are about two million women in prostitution in Asia and half of them children. I did not know that every minute, two people are trafficked across international borders, nor did I know that every year 200,000 American girls are at risk for sex trafficking.

My grown children’s passion quickly became my own, and I knew exactly who Chosen Ones would profile: a sex trafficked girl.

Punita, a young poverty-stricken Nepali girl, is sold by her father to a strange woman who claims she will employ the child as a maid with a wealthy family in the city. For two years, the family would care for the girl and provide a good education. Then, Punita would return home to marry Omar.

All lies. Instead, the woman delivers Punita into the hands of Vladimir Hochek, a ruthless kingpin who runs a multi-million dollar business. Her new and better way of life becomes forced sex, turning 20 tricks a day.

Unaware of Punita’s plight, a missionary couple dealing with their own crisis in Chennai, India, ministers daily to orphans at The Oasis Compound. Their world is about to change when they unexpectedly meet Punita and attempt a daring rescue.

My prayer in writing Chosen Ones is that eyes will be opened to see the severity and prevalence of human trafficking and hearts be moved to action. My own burden led me beyond writing a novel to sponsoring an abused girl who has been rescued and placed in a Safe House for rehabilitation, education, and training so that she can become self-supporting.

Barbara Everett, Director of Destiny Rescue USA notes: “Human trafficking may be the worst human rights violation in the 21st century.” God has not allowed this tragedy to go unnoticed. David says it well in Psalm 10:17-18: “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.”

The Lord calls His Body to be the voice, the hands, and the feet of Jesus to reach out to these precious women and children who are being terrorized by traffickers. He tells His people to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8).

* Trafficking statistics provided by Destiny Rescue USA, Inc. www.destinyrescue.org

CHOSEN ONES, NEW RELEASE!

2011-03-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

After a two-year wait, Book Three, CHOSEN ONES, in the Born for India trilogy is finally out!

CHOSEN ONES arrived on my doorstep last night. I have 30 signed copies in hand if you would like to purchase directly from me. It will take roughly three weeks for the book to get entrenched in the online system.

A couple in crisis.
A child taken captive.

Life in Chennai, India, is complicated. While Maggie and Gavin Munsfield adjust to a new baby, missionary friends, Dan and Yvonne Pratt, experience the heartbreak of infertility and miscarriage. When their lives intersect with a young girl caught up in the horrors of sex trafficking, each of them will receive a precious gift. But will they find it in their hearts to accept an outcome so different than what they expected and hoped for?

"Eileen Rife has highlighted what may be the worst human rights violation of the 21st century--human trafficking. As part of an organization that is working to stop child prostitution, I have seen countless real-life cases just as tragic as this story Eileen has told in her novel. Change the name, age, city, and country, and you have the story of millions of children who are trapped in a life of abuse. Eileen paints a tragic but true picture of a victim of forced prostitution, but also gives hope in telling of the dedicated men and women who risk their lives daily to rescue these children. I pray that all who read this book might be moved not just to tears, but to action. 'Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people' (Psalm 82:4)."
- Barbara Everett, Director, Destiny Rescue USA, Inc.

"Injustice. Prostitution. Sex trafficking. The brutal realities of 12.3 million people enslaved worldwide. In her new book, Chosen Ones, Eileen Rife provides a shocking portrait of a tragic and real life crime in order to bring hope and healing to those who suffer from sexual abuse."
- Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the nearly 50,000 member American Association of Christian Counselors

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW

2011-02-23T12:08:00.000-08:00

I just returned from the post office. I stood behind a lady with two large boxes. In her communication with the clerk she mentioned that the boxes were a project put together by her women's church group. While the clerk worked, I asked the woman where she went to church.

When she told me, I said, "Do you know so and so?"

"Why, yes," she said, "He is my Sunday School teacher."

I proceeded to tell her how his wife and I grew up together in Tennessee.

She went on to talk with the clerk and somehow got onto chatting about Christian books. Turns out she used to work at LifeWay. Anyway, I told her I was a Christian author and that she might be interested in one of my cards, so she took one. After studying it a minute, she pointed and said, "Rife."

I said, "Chuck?" Because I often discover people in the community who have seen my husband in his counseling office.

She said, "No, Rachel. The one who went to India as a missionary. She came and spoke to our women's group several years ago."

"Oh, yes, she's my daughter." (My buttons popping one by one :).

The lady turned to me and said, "She's the reason I'm homeschooling my children today."

By now I'm tearing up.

She turns back to the clerk who is chatting on about Christian books. So after the lady leaves and I conduct my business, I hand a card to the clerk who lights up when she hears that the Born for India trilogy is based on my missionary daughter's love story.

You just never know who you're going to meet and how God will use that encounter.

AN ENCOUNTER AT PRIDE IN THE PARK

2011-02-22T10:24:00.000-08:00

Had I not looked into her eyes, I would have thought she was the most hardened person on the planet. Muscular build. Dark, short-cropped, spiked hair. Multiple earrings. Black jeans, shirt, and vest. Tattoos snaking up her arm.

As I sat on a stone ledge, I pushed through intimidation and struck up a conversation with the teen girl beside me at a recent Pride in the Park festival celebrating homosexuality. My husband Chuck and I had shared a burden to reach out to this population of people with the love of Jesus. So, here we were, each of us capturing a glimpse into the world of the person beside us.

“I’m Eileen. What’s your name?” I said to the tall, dark girl.

She mumbled an answer. Another girl—smaller, with longer hair and splashes of color on her jeans and shirt—pressed close to the other side of her, gazing straight ahead. A live band played and sang on a stage several yards away. Couples lounged on the grass or in lawn chairs. Others strolled the sidewalk bordering the park.

“What brings you here today?” I dangled a toe in the conversation water.

She shrugged, but did not turn away. “I like to mingle.”

She was a teenager; I could understand her desire to be a part of a group.

“Where do you go to high school?” I ventured another question.

She rattled off a name, so I continued my pursuit.

“What year?”

“Senior,” she said, with a subtle spark in her eyes. Her friend remained cool, distant, and wary.

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Congratulations! What are your plans after graduation?”

Her shoulders began to relax. A bridge to this young gal’s heart was under construction. “Probably community college.”

“What are you interested in?” By now I was standing in front of her, feeling comfortable with our verbal exchange.

“Animals.”

“Ah, maybe you’ll be a vet.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Do you go to church anywhere?”

“Yeah.” She rattled off the name of a Baptist church in a nearby town and told me how she had been raised in that assembly of people.

Her openness propelled me on. “So, Susan (not her real name), what does your church think about you attending a Gay Pride festival?”

Another shrug. Then she looked me dead in the eye, a penetrating, almost questioning gaze that pierced me to the core. “I don’t think they care,” she stated matter-of-factly.

My heart dropped to my stomach and I felt sick. I was a Christian who attended a Baptist church. Conviction rippled through me. Who sat in the pew next to me that might feel the same way Susan did, but I had missed her or him, wrapped up in my own world, afraid to venture out?

With fresh resolve, I leaned in to Susan. Her brown puppy dog eyes melted my heart. “Well, Susan, I’m here to tell you that I care. I want you to know that Jesus loves you.” I reached to touch her hand just as the girl beside her tugged on her sleeve, breaking the spell of the moment.

Susan pushed away from the wall and started off with her friend. I knew our brief interchange was over, and I was sad. Caught up in conversation beside me, Chuck glanced over his shoulder and gestured me. “This is Mark (not his real name).”

I stepped over to enter into another exchange, wishing I could have spent more time with Susan, yet knowing that a spiritual seed was planted that prayerfully another Christian would water down the road.

CHOSEN ONES, Book Three in the Born for India trilogy

2011-02-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

My third fiction baby is about to join his sibs to complete the triplet package! Ya-hoo!

After one more proof, CHOSEN ONES, Book Three in the Born for India trilogy, is off to the printer!

A couple's crisis.
A child taken captive.

While Maggie and Gavin adjust to a new baby, missionary friends, Dan and Yvonne Pratt, experience the sorrow of infertility and miscarriage. In another part of India, a young girl is caught up in sex trafficking. God has a gift for each of them, but will they find it in their hearts to accept His chosen ones?

Bonus features:

* Facts About Human Trafficking
* Discussion Questions
* Helpful Resources
* Information about Dealing with Miscarriage
* Information about Dealing with Sexual Abuse

Nature Knows Best

2011-01-29T05:07:00.000-08:00

It's winter and along with this season come flu and colds. Here's a homemade prevention to use when you feel a sniffle coming on or a bug sneaking up . . .

INTERNAL SALT CLEANSE

First thing in the morning, drink a quart of lukewarm water with 2 tsps. of sea salt stirred in. (It only works with sea salt). It's rare, but some folks need 3 tsps. of sea salt. It's easier if you drink a half a glass at a time. Drink in one sitting.

Go back to bed, lie on your right side. In an hour, you'll know what to do!

Great way to cleanse your system naturally when you feel like you're getting sick, or when you are stopped up and can't go! :)

The entire process takes about two hours. Hour in bed. Hour for system to cleanse. So do this little regimen when you can be at home.

NATURAL FACIAL MOISTURIZER

Dampen your face. Dab a few drops of almond oil, apricot oil, grapeseed oil, or vitamin E oil on your face. Also a nice moisturizer to use over your entire body. Great for normal or dry skin, especially during the winter months.

Inexpensive way to achieve glowing, velvety skin!

The Light of the World

2010-12-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him; and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:1-4

Happy Birthday, Jesus, the Light of the World!

The Power of a Cover

2010-12-03T08:23:00.002-08:00

A few months before RESTORED HEARTS was released, a woman approached me anxious to know when the book would be ready. I told her the manuscript was in the hands of my editor and would prayerfully be available soon.

The woman's son was grief-stricken and angry over his father's homosexual lifestyle. This mom was concerned that her ex-husband's behavior would destroy any hopes for a relationship between her son and his dad.

When RESTORED HEARTS came out, she bought a copy, read it, then passed it along to her son. I told her I would pray for healing and restoration in her family. The son made it to chapter three, but could go no further. He closed the book and laid it aside. The reality of what many homosexuals encounter was too difficult for him to swallow.

That was a year and a half ago. Even though I had not received any updates on this particular situation, I continued to pray as the Lord brought this family to mind.

A couple months ago, the woman approached me again, this time with a spark of hope in her eyes. She told me that her son was sitting on a park bench when a butterfly landed on his backpack. He did a double-take when he realized the insect was the exact same species as the one on the RESTORED HEARTS book cover. "Perhaps I need to go back and finish reading that book," he thought.

His mother reported that he did finish the book and told her he had changed his attitude toward his dad. He now wanted to seek healing and restoration for their relationship.

Sometimes, it's the small things--like a butterfly on a book cover revisited at a park bench--that God can use to make all the difference in the world.

The Martians have landed . . .

2010-10-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

The Martians . . . I mean, our family has landed . . . and I can't find my husband! Oh, there he is, hiding behind the ping pong table.

To my Grandchildren, Love is Spelled T-I-M-E

2010-10-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

To my six grandchildren, love is spelled T-I-M-E.

T ouching: Lots of hugs are in order for the little ones who are currently ages 4,3,2,1,0 (two newborns). No, not blast-off, although some days it seems like we're ready to take off with all the noise and toddler activity on the ole' Rife homestead.

I nvesting: Chuck and I have discovered that investing time in our grandchildren's interests goes a long way in building a relationship with them. For Ethan, it's working with him to snap buckles. He loves to work with his hands. For Daniel, it's lining up toy cars and zooming them across the kitchen floor. For Kylie, it's building a Lego house or singing favorite songs. For Rebekah, it's playing dress-up or reading stories. For two-month old Hannah, it's holding her while she giggles at my face. For three-week-old Gabriel, it's praying for him from a distance and anticipating our reunion in just a couple weeks. And for all the grandchildren, well the ones who can wrestle and run, Grandpa Trap is a favorite game that teaches them to persevere and "Never give up!"

M aking memories: Seizing the moment to make a memory, whether at the park playing on the slide and swings or snapping pictures of the kids jumping in the leaves, is a treat that will carry us through when we are separated once again.

E ating fun stuff: Grandma and food seem to be synonymous, so better have some healthy, yet fun stuff on hand. For Ethan, it's Grandma's chocolate smoothies. Little does he know that I sneak a handful of fresh spinach into the mix. :) For Kylie, it's what she used to call, chocy milk. For Rebekah and Daniel, it's mac and cheese and whole green beans. An ice cream cone for dessert is a treasured treat!

All these pursuits take TIME, but this is what spells LOVE to my precious grandkiddos. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

THE TRUTH PROJECT

2010-10-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

How you counter the culture makes a difference in your child’s life.

During a recent camping trip with a few families from our church, I (Eileen) was adding more wood to the fire when I overheard a conversation among three of the boys.

“I wonder if there are any bears around,” Max commented, fear written on his face.

“You know, we’re animals, too,” Bradley said, stirring a stick through the dirt.

Max’s brother, Joey, jumped in, hands on hips, glaring at Bradley, “We are not!”

“Are too!”

Max rallied to his brother’s side, “We are not animals; we’re human beings!”

“Well, in school the teacher said that we are the highest form of animals,” Bradley insisted, to which Joey replied, “Well, this isn’t school, this is Bible land we’re standing on now!”

My Bible rested on the picnic table, so I said, “Well, let’s see what Genesis chapter one has to say. I read through the text detailing God’s creation and landed at verse 26, Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’

The boys listened intently. I had caught them at a teachable moment. Explaining that man was set apart from the animals because he was created in the image of God with intellect, emotion, and will and given rule over the animals, I pointed the boys to God’s Word, the Truth.

I left that encounter more convinced of the need to ground our children in the truth of God’s Word to counter the secular, humanistic culture in which we live. Perhaps, as a Christian parent, you desire to do the same, but just don’t know where to begin.

A good resource is The Truth Project compiled by Focus on the Family and taught by Dr. Del Tackett. A DVD-based curriculum comprised of twelve one-hour lessons, The Truth Project communicates the Christian worldview verses a secular worldview. Carefully researched, biblically sound, and masterfully presented. Every parent should go through this course, then lead their children through it before they leave for college.

Visit www.thetruthproject.org for more information.

A DIVINE APPOINTMENT

2010-09-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

A man wearing brown pants with beige dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, stocked the cracker shelves as I swerved around the corner with my grocery cart headed for the saltines.

“Hi, how are you today?” I said, sweeping past him.

“Good, how ‘bout you?” he countered with southern drawl while shoving a box of Ritz into an available spot. An overhead light beamed off the baseball-sized bald spot on the top of his head.

“Oh, fine, just fine.” I said, torn between scanning the shelves for my selection and exchanging cordialities.

Chattering on as if he hadn’t talked to anyone all day, he spoke of everything from the weather to his first grandchild due the end of October.

A bell sounded in my head. This was a topic near and dear to my heart, for my husband and I now had five grandchildren, the latest born in our home only weeks earlier, and the sixth on his way the beginning of October.

The man’s glasses slid down his nose as he reached to unpack another box. His wiry, sandy-colored hair stuck out over his forehead like a visor. Somewhat stocky, his belly loped over his belt when he squatted to straighten the cracker boxes on the bottom shelf. His daughter, only nineteen, would give birth to a son, he told me, lining up a row of Ritz like new army recruits.

“I was just getting used to the empty nest, and now this—I can hardly believe I’m going to be a grandfather.”

I had been where he was four years ago. With two weddings in one year and two babies the next, I was still gulping for air.

“I know what you mean,” I assured, lamely glancing at him one second and squinting at the saltines the next.

“But you have to let them go. You do the best you can raising them, then you just have to let them go,” he said, forcibly brushing his hands together to illustrate his words.

I inched my cart down the aisle, but paused out of politeness when he continued talking.

“I wonder, though, young people today probably won’t discipline their kids the way I was brought up. It was a trip to the woodshed for me. Yep, I learned a thing or two with the strap.”

Nodding, I assessed whether to stick around and humor this stock boy—well, man—with more of my presence or make my getaway.

Was this a divine appointment the Lord had placed in my way on this sunny September morn?

As we conversed more about the need for discipline in our culture, a story popped into my head.

“You know, you’re right, discipline is so important for children. I remember a speaker I listened to once share how he decided to teach his children a significant lesson after they had misbehaved one day.”

The man’s eyes flitted to my face as he reached for yet another large cardboard box full of crackers.

“The father told his two children to come into the bedroom. Once there, he pulled his shirt off, handed them each a leather belt, leaned over the mattress, and told them to whip his back with the belts.”

A whisper of a frown passed over the man’s face as he cocked his head to listen.

“Well, as you might expect, the children were totally confused. ‘Daddy,’ they said in unison, ‘why do you want us to spank you? We’re the ones who did wrong.’”

“‘Yes, you did wrong,’ the father stated, “’but I want you to whip me. I will take your punishment.’”

“’No, Daddy, we can’t let you do that!’”

“By now big crocodile tears were inching their way down the children’s cheeks.

“’Please, Daddy, we can’t do this!’

“The father insisted, and the children struck him with the belts, over and over again at his command. His back, layered with red stripes, pulsed with pain. His children dropped to the floor weeping uncontrollably.

“The father turned, stooped and stretched his arms around his broken children. ‘That, my children, is what Jesus did for us. He took the punishment that we deserve when He died on the cross.’

“The children never forgot their father’s lesson, nor did they ever require a spanking again.”

With eyebrows arched like Howdy-Dowdy, the man stood frozen for a second, “Yep, that’s a powerful lesson, all right.” Shaking his head, he retrieved more cracker boxes and resumed shelving.

“Well, you have a good day now; nice talking with you,” I said, gripping the cart handle.

“Yeah, you too. Have a good one.” He waved a hand, signaling the end of the conversation. Yet, something in his eyes indicated he would be thinking on our visit for some time to come.

Tell Me a Story, Grandma

2010-09-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

While riding in the car the other day, granddaughter Kylie said, "Tell me a story about when you were little, Grandma." A frequent request by my grandchildren.

I proceeded to tell her the "sledding story."

One winter when the ground was covered with mounds of milky white snow, my neighbor, William, urged me to go sledding on Reservoir Hill with his buddy, Tommy. I agreed, and off the three of us trudged, William pulling a wooden sled behind him.

After we climbed the steep hill bordered on the left by barbwire fencing to keep the cattle on the other side from crossing, William looked at me with a gleam in his eye. An expression I had come to know as dangerous.

"Hey, I have an idea!" he said, flashing his pearly whites. "Since we only have one sled, how about all three of us go down on the sled together?"

It was more of a demand than a question, really. He was a take-charge kinda guy, and although I had definite reservations, his winsome way made it hard to refuse.

"Tell you what," he continued. "I'll get on the bottom; Tommy, you lie down in the middle; and Eileen, you stretch out on the top." We had played together for so long he knew I was ambivalent. "It'll be fun," he insisted with a nudge of his shoulder, hands in his pants pockets. "And, Eileen, you won't get hurt, 'cause you'll be on the top!"

I sucked in a breath of icy air, chewed on the corner of my lip, and finally agreed. What was the worst that could happen, after all?

I was about to find out. As we flew down the hill, William frantically clutched the rudder to maintain control while pieces of snow plastered our faces and hair. I opened my eyes long enough to see us inches away from the barbwire fence. Just as I squeezed my eyes shut again, William swerved the sled to the left, spilling me off the top and into a patch of melting snow mixed with mud.

As I stumbled to my feet, wiping my gloved hands over my brand new brown tweed Christmas coat, I glared at William. Sheepish, he shrugged, "I'm so sorry. Really sorry. Are you all right?"

"Yeah, sure, I'm all right." Technically, that was true. No scrapes. No bruises. No broken bones. No barbwire marks anywhere on my anatomy.

My outer body was secure, but my spirit was considerably rumbled, for my brand new coat was a muddy mess! And it was my only coat. I could hear my mother now.

"What in the world have you done? Look at this mess! Why, I'll never get this clean!"

A gash somewhere on my body would have been better than a dirty coat. This was bad, and I prepared myself for the tongue-lashing I would receive when I got home.

At snail speed I crept to my house, gingerly stepped onto the breezeway, and reached for the kitchen doorknob. The door flew open and there on the other side stood my mother.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, fully expecting a maternal tirade followed by a paternal spanking that would warm my cold backside.

Instead, she gently nudged me inside the toasty, ginger cookie kitchen and helped me shrug off my brown tweed coat with the velvet collar.

She stepped back, turned her head from side to side, and frowned. "Hmm . . ."

Here it comes, I thought.

"I think we can take care of this. Why, I'll wash this up and it'll be good as new."

I believed her, 'cause mama had a knack at repairing, fixing, cleaning up, mending-- you name it, she could do it!

Next thing I knew, the brown tweed Christmas coat with the collar soft as puppy ears was hanging alone on the clothes line against the crisp snow, good as new.

When I finished the story, granddaughter Kylie piped up from the backseat. "Ya know, Grandma, your mommy sounds like Jesus."

I had never thought about that before. "Ya know, Kylie, you're right, she does."

And once again, a little child shall teach them.

Gentle, Quiet

2010-08-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

This morning during our "Date with Jesus," Chuck asked me what the Lord was doing in my heart.

I said, "He's saying, 'Come to me; I am enough . . . Gentle, quiet.'"

The Lord keeps leading me back to 1 Peter 3:1-6, particularly verses 4 and 6.

Whenever I get frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed with life, I hear the Holy Spirit whisper to my spirit, "Gentle . . . Quiet."

I am trying to be trained by those simple words. How huge they are really!

1 Peter 3:4 tells me that a gentle and quiet spirit is imperishable and precious to God. Wow! That's my heart's longing--to develop qualities that last, that endear me to the Father's heart in a special way.

In times past whenever I read this passage and honed in on the word, "Quiet," I would immediately equate it with controlling my tongue. "Just quit nagging and harping on the same issue over and over again."

Granted, that is part of the admonition to put on a quiet spirit. But note that it is a "spirit" that I am to put on. A quiet spirit of deep confidence in God's protection and provision as the Lover of my soul. So that regardless of the choices my earthly husband makes, I can maintain a posture of peace because I am relying completely on my heavenly Husband.

Thus I can fulfill verse 6, which states that I will not be frightened by any fear. My hope is so firmly fixed on God that I accept all things as tools to craft me into the image of His Son, who by the way kept entrusting Himself to the Father even in the midst of cruel treatment and misunderstanding.

Bottom line: When I choose to put on Jesus, my spirit is cloaked with gentleness and quietness, two attributes that will keep for eternity and be winsome to the heart of God.

Coconut water, anyone?

2010-08-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

Dr. Gavin Munsfield, protagonist in JOURNEY TO JUDAH and RESTORED HEARTS, recommends drinking coconut water which provides an excellent blend of electrolytes, re-hydrating the body better than sports drinks.

Coconuts are plentiful in Chennai, setting for my Born for India trilogy. While visiting there, we would pull up to a coconut stand (a small open hut on the side of the road). Yep, coconut stands are India's version of "Sonic." The Indian merchant whacks a hole in the top of the coconut with his machete, sticks a straw in, and wah-lah, drink to go! And for a mere .75 US at that!

Rumor has it that coconut water was used as a plasma substitute in WWII. Indeed, coconut water seems to benefit the body, providing potassium and other essential nutrients, warding off fatigue, and providing a higher level of protein than cow's milk with less fat and fewer calories. It also contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk. Now I know why the Indians kept handing us coconut water during our first trip to Madras 14 years ago!

Pass the coconut water, please!

Me and My Shadow Strolling Down the Avenue . . .

2010-07-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Well, the garden at least.

Trying to capture that lovely swallowtail that keeps lighting upon my purple flower bush (that's my name for it since I can't remember what the store tag said :).

I'm beginning to hear God's laughter!

2010-07-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

When I padded to my kitchen rocker this morning, I sat talking to the Lord about the latest real estate investment crisis and He stopped me short with his laughter. Yes, I heard God laughing. . . in my mind and heart anyway, but it couldn't have been more real. He came up to me, threw His arms around me, tossed His head back, and with eyes twinkling, full of merriment, released a warm current of laughter. Comforting, not cynical.

Later, in my office, I couldn't journal the experience fast enough. My main point to ponder:

"And then God laughed, not to minimize my pain, but to bring perspective to it, in light of eternity."

He reminded me of the Genesis 17 account of Sarah's cynical laughter over the possibility of a pregnancy in her old age. I wonder now if there wasn't a hint of a giggle under God's breath even then. He knew the hilarious, joyful laughter that was to come in Isaac (literally meaning, "He will laugh"). In Genesis 21:6, after Isaac's birth, Sarah says for all posterity, "God has made laughter for me, everyone who hears will laugh with me."

The question the Lord posed to my heart in the early hours of the morn was, "Can you laugh even before you see the provision concerning the properties?"

And then I noted the ways He has already provided:

1. All our needs met today, and so much more!
2. Grace for the moment in this roller-coaster ride of "now we have a buyer, now we don't."
3. A greater dependence on the Lord as my Husband (Isaiah 54:5).
4. A closer relationship with Chuck.
5. Liberty modules

Then I turned to an Oswald Chamber devotional entry in My Utmost for His Highest, and the last line read: "The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God."

Okay, Lord, I'm smiling.

2010-07-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

A few months before Rachel left for India as a single missionary gal in 2004, I had a dream. My little red-headed toddler was running across the lawn straight for the busy road. Cars were zooming this way and that. I ran after her, arms stretched out, reaching, grabbing desperately, but as is often the case in a dream, I could never quite get to her. At last, she plunged into the street. I knew for sure my precious baby would be hit and killed, but when the traffic cleared, I saw a lovely Indian woman clad in colorful sari on the other side of the road stooping and holding my little Rachel. She was safe.

As God would have it, there have been many Indian "mamas" over the last few years who have taken Rachel under their wings. In addition, the Lord provided my girl with a godly husband only two months after arriving in India. Nathan, a third generation missionary kid who had returned to the States, sensed God leading him back to India to serve. While there he met Rachel and they were married in June, 2005. Their love story inspired Book One, JOURNEY TO JUDAH, in my Born for India trilogy.

Through this account, God has affirmed Psalm 84:11 in my heart: "The Lord God is a sun and a shield; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

Yet often, it is a daily challenge to embrace those words and live on them. One moment at a time, that's all He asks as the journey continues . . .

The Plot Thickens . . .

2010-07-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

"The silence between them was nibbling away at Maggie's nerves as she and Gavin lay in the darkness staring at the ceiling. They shared a bed, but not their hearts, at least not over the last three days since Tim revealed he wasn't going back to Boston."

Excerpt from RESTORED HEARTS, Book Two in the Born for India trilogy
www.christianbook.com
www.amazon.com

Aloha Ke Akula

2010-07-07T14:59:00.000-07:00

Polynesian morning. Tropical paradise. God's love rising in the morning sun. Gentle breezes. No fog or heavy winds this peaceful daybreak. Hawaiian winds normally blow from the northeast and bring fair weather. When the winds shift to blow from the south, however, they are called KONA winds and often bring storms in the winter. But on this gorgeous Maui morning, God's love floats in on a subtle breeze, reminding me that He is ruler of the water (wai) and the heaven (lanai). He is Master of all--of the elements, of the animals, of all creation, of me.

Teaser from TRANQUIL MOMENTS, SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT FROM THE ISLAND OF MAUI
www.amazon.com

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it Dad.

-anon

The Ants Came Marching Two by Two . . .

2010-06-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

After a busy day of grading student papers, I trudged to the kitchen, weary and worn, to fix supper. Upon opening the cabinet above the stove, a host of creepy, crawly LARGE black ants scurried hither and yon--some leaping madly onto the counter, others wiggling to break free from the honey jar.

Enter crazed woman on a mission . . .

With hands balled into fists, I chased the critters all over the kitchen, smashing them and pulverizing them into itty, bitty black specks which littered my floor like carnage at Gettysburg. I felt like Ernie on Mouse Hunt who's fateful falling out with a gigantic roach left him more determined than ever to never let another vermin get him down.

By the time Chuck walked up the steps to supper, I was giggling hysterically. I could envision an enormous ant pinned against the wall, my fists clobbering his face like a punching bag.

Call it hunger, heat, tiredness, or just an extra helping of testosterone . . .

But somehow, it felt mighty nice to punch the lights out of those suckers! No self-respecting ant dare stick an antenna in my kitchen, or anywhere else in my house, for that matter.

That was yesterday. Anyone who drops by for a visit will be happy to know I'm feeling much calmer today with no ants on the horizon.

By the way, TIP FOR ELIMINATING ANTS if you don't want to use your fists:

Sprinkle grits around the threshold of doors. Place a small bowl of water nearby. The ants eat the grits, drink some water, and you got--BLOW UP!

Hey, it works.

Word of Hope

2010-05-31T05:44:00.000-07:00

No matter how I feel; no matter how the world, the flesh, and the devil torment, my God has never changed and never will!

He STILL loves me.
His blood STILL covers me.
He STILL produces fruit through me.
He's STILL coming for me.
He STILL rescues me.
He STILL calms the storm in me.
He STILL provides encouraging friends.
He STILL speaks through my family.
He STILL holds my hand.
He STILL gives me rest.
He STILL walks with me.

You and You alone, Oh LORD, are my life, my survival, my hope, and my future.

FOR BOOK CLUBS

2010-05-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

If you’ve read JOURNEY TO JUDAH or RESTORED HEARTS, you know that the romance, adventure, and intrigue don’t have to stop when you’ve finished the last page and closed the book.

You can get together with your friends and use the Discussion Questions at the end of the books to generate thought-provoking conversation for quite some time.

JOURNEY TO JUDAH questions include:

•In what ways might Maggie’s journey be similar to the journey of Ruth in the Bible? In what ways are they different?

Journal where you are in your journey. What is God doing in your life? How does that make you feel? Are you willing to do whatever He asks you to do?

•When faced with a broken engagement, Gavin plunged into depression. What steps did Dr. Hauser suggest to help him regain emotional equilibrium?

•Read Psalm 37. List some of the things you can do when you don’t understand what God is doing in your life.

•Read Philippians 4. Describe God’s path to peace and contentment.

*And many more!

RESTORED HEARTS questions include:

•During one counseling session with Tim, Dr. Hauser says, “If you want to know what God thinks of you, look at the cross.” How did this statement help Tim? How might it help you?

•The word restore in 1 Peter 5:10 is the same word used to signify a bone that must be reset in order to heal stronger. How does Esha try to convey this message to Gavin ? Are her words effective immediately—or much later? Why do you think this is? How might remembering Esha’s words help you in your own life now, and in the future?

•During a counseling session, Dr. Hauser discusses the role of sex in marriage. He alludes to such Scriptures as Genesis 2:22-24 and Ephesians 5:31-33. Take a look at the headlines today re: approval of homosexual marriages in some of the states. Why do you think Satan is working overtime to destroy the marriage union between one man and one woman for a lifetime?

•At one point in the story, Dr. Hauser tells Tim, “Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

•What role do you think Dad’s letter might play in Tim’s and Gavin’s healing? How has it already influenced Tim’s thinking? If you could change anything about your own childhood, what would that be?

•The name Esha means “desire or wish” in Sanskrit. She longed for Tim, yet she demonstrated an even greater longing. What do you think that was? What are the current desires of your heart?

•And many more!

With questions included in each book, why not host a BOOK CLUB?

I’d love to come and share the story behind the story and answer reader questions! Contact me at eileenrife@yahoo.com.

What's fat and furry and in my garden?

2010-05-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Give up?

It's an otter! Yep, no traveling to the Peaks to see our famous Blue Ridge otters. He's come to me this year. And is he ever fun to watch! Since I've been tossing out the pulp from my carrot juicing, along with other veggie and fruit peel, he and the two Peter Rabbits (although I suspect one is Patricia Rabbit) are loving the regular meals. They don't seem to care a thing about my measly lettuce and spinach patch with that gourmet buffet in another part of the yard.

Now, where's my camera. I need a close up of my friend. Oh, and my sketch pad . . .