Join the Adventure Giveaway

Winner of the American Christian Fiction Writer's Carol Award for Dauntless!!!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Enlarge in the Waiting - Romans 8 Part 5

I'm going to go ahead and wrap up my Romans 8 series today. Rather than try to cram twenty more verses into this post, I'm just going to hop through the end and focus on the elements that blessed me the most. During this series we've discussed how to move from heaviness to freedom and light. How to overcome sin not in our own strength, but through God's. How to get past religion and develop a real relationship with God. And how to look forward to an exciting future with adventurous expectation. But sometimes it takes a while to get where we're going. And to wrap this all up, we're going to talk about waiting.
 18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. 

Yes, life on earth can be kind of rough. That's because we live in a fallen world, and nothing was ever meant to be quite like this. The world itself is waiting. Waiting for a full restoration to God's original plan. For the glorious time ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. We don't need to bemoan this situation. We're still children of the king. We ourselves have been restored to right relationship with God through the price that Jesus paid on the cross. So we wait joyfully, looking forward to that full release of God's kingdom. 

 22-25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. 

This section particularly meant so much to me during the month I was meditating on this chapter. It seemed I had run into a delay with my writing career yet again, and I had no idea how long it might last. I was feeling the birth pangs. In fact, in the fall of 2010 God had given me a special scripture about the barren woman singing and becoming the joyful mother of many children. So I know God fully understands how it feels to be a writer. To be waiting for our "children" to be born. I'm sure this applies to any unfulfilled dream. It's okay, though, because the waiting does not diminish us. Just the opposite, we are enlarged in the waiting. Even when we don't see it. Reading that filled me with joy. I'm growing larger for Jesus. If the baby comes too soon, it might not be ready. It might not make it. By waiting, I'll be even a bigger, better vessel for pouring out his good news to the earth. And because of that, I can be joyful and expectant.

 26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. 

Yes, sometimes we grow weary, we get discouraged, but God's spirit is right there with us. Praying through us. Interceding for us when we're so worn out, we have no words left to express it. Those of you who have had children understand, the end is the hardest. I had three completely natural childbirths, so I probably understand this better than most women these days. Just before you have to push that baby out, the pain is more than you think you can bear. You think you'll never survive it. It's not something you can do alone.

But praise the Lord, every detail in or lives of love for God is worked into something good!!! He is there helping us every step of the way. Clearing the path. Comforting us. Cheering, "Push, push, you can do it!" And delivering that baby safely into our arms. God has a good plan for each of our lives, and He will see it through to completion. If you have a dream to write, or go on missions, or just raise Godly children, whatever it is, the pressure is not on us to make it happen. If it's God's plan, we just do our part as faithful children, and He will take care of the rest.

I hope you enjoyed this series. I've decided to call it my freedom series. Let's all let go of the heavy load and let God do the work in us. Stay focused on Him, spend time in His presence, learn to dwell in the Holy Spirit, and let God move in your life.

Blessings!

What are you waiting for? How do you endure the waiting? How can you grow during this time?

Monday, August 20, 2012

The History of Love in Three-Quarter Time


I have a confession to make. I’m not really a history person. At least not in the typical sense of dates and facts, rulers and wars. What I love would probably be referred to more as humanities. I enjoy cultures. The art and architecture and literature of a people group. What did they believe? What made them tick? What music did they live their lives to? In my new historical romance novel, Love in Three-Quarter Time, I had the opportunity to fuse some of my favorite cultures into one novel.

Regency Influence
The Regency period generally refers to the reign of the Price Regent in England in the early part of the 1800s. That’s about as much of the history as interests me personally. But oh the culture! Classical music, ballroom dance, card games, drawing rooms, empire fashions, and a feel of unsurpassed elegance. While my book takes place in the frontiers of America where manners and customs are not nearly as strict as in England, since many of my characters have English roots, it still contains a lovely Regency feel.

Perhaps the Regency influence is best seen in the importance of the waltz. At the time, being an expert at dance was a true marker of high society. While the waltz had been popular on the continent of Europe for years, it was considered scandalous by the conservative Brits and their provincial American counterparts. All of that changed in 1816 when the Prince Regent officially introduced the waltz at a ball. I never was able to pin down a date when it came to America, but as it was well established by the 1830s, my guess is that some brave soul must have introduced it shortly after it became popular in Britain.

Southern Plantation Setting
Most of Love in Three Quarter Time takes place on a southern plantation near Charlottesville, Virginia. Of course this allows for a gorgeous Georgian style mansion, balls, tea on the verandahs, and horseback riding through rolling hills. However it also brings up the tricky topic of slavery. While serious historical novels that face slavery head on and show the full ugliness of the institution can occasionally find a place in Christian fiction, in a genre like historical romance, one must tread lightly. For my novel, I chose to have three of my main characters involved in the abolitionist cause. In addition, at the plantation where the novel is set, slaves are treated kindly, like family.

I felt both of these elements were important to provide an enjoyable exploration of this time for my readers. In this way, the reader does not feel the need to excuse the institution for the sake of the characters, nor are they constantly being brought down by the sadness deeply engrained in the Southern lifestyle. However, I do not avoid the ugliness when it’s important to the story. The abolitionist cause does play an important role in the plot, and by the end, I think the readers will have a greater appreciation for those who fought to end the institution of slavery in our country. I also believe that the inclusion of African-American culture in this book brings depth and heart to the situation.

Native American Culture
Being so close to what was still considered the frontier of America in 1817, my novel also explores elements of Native American culture. Perhaps my most exciting find upon researching for this book was the Black Indian tribe. The Black Indians were a mixed race group of people that included many runaway slaves. That might give you a hint as to how I wove this people group into the plot. They adopted the Indian lifestyle and hid themselves away in the mountains of Virginia. The most famous Black Indians were a Monacan tribe near Bear Mountain in Amherst County. I moved my village slightly north to facilitate my story, however the Monacans did reside throughout the Shenandoah Mountains. I use the Indian culture in my story to allow my passionate heroine an opportunity to break free from Regency customs and explore her more earthy side.

My primary spiritual advisor in this book is an enigmatic circuit preacher named Lorimer. Because he’s been called to minister to the slaves and Indians, he has a unique perspective that draws from both cultures as well as the more British Anglican and Methodist teachings. Of course, all of his personal beliefs are based upon his intensive study of the scripture. This brings a very rich and vibrant sort of spirituality to the book that draws Constance closer to Christ, and I hope it will draw my readers closer to him as well. In fact, the reader has the opportunity to explore Christian worship services of all three groups along with Constance.

I had a fun time merging these cultures in my Jane Austen meets Scarlet O’Hara novel! Of course it took a little creativity to blend all of this history together, so please forgive me if I ever let my imagination lead me astray. Overall, I think I managed to capture all three influences, and I think that you’ll have as much fun with them as I did.

Which culture do you know the most about, Regency, Southern Plantation, or American Indian? Which do you like the best? What is your favorite culture?

Monday, August 13, 2012

What's Next Papa - Romans 8 Part 4


I’m continuing my study of Romans 8, an amazing chapter which has thoroughly impacted my life. Today we get to my very favorite verse—in fact, the verse that started my intense meditation on this passage.

 15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!  

I just love that! Our life is not a timid, grave-tending life. I wonder how many people picture Christianity that way? Timid. Dead. I wonder even if there’s some implication in this verse that while we must be aware of eternity, we shouldn’t be so eternally focused that we’re no earthly good? Makes sense. Many religious Christians are so busy waiting for “the sweet by and by” that they aren’t enjoying the priceless here and now. We need to enjoy life. Embrace it in all it’s emotions and colors and facets. Dance, play, sing! God is with us here and now, not just after we die. We should be elated by his presence. Celebrate it. Delight in the world he created for us.

Jonny Sleiman rock climbing without equipment
Our lives should be adventurously expectant. I love that too. Lately I’ve noticed that I haven’t been as bold and brave as I used to be. I used to love an adventure. Yes, adventures can be scary, but they are exciting too. No risk, no reward. I have one adrenaline junky child, and he serves as a good reminder to me that risk can be an amazing thing. And yes, odd timing for the post considering the fact that I crashed my bike for the first time in over 25 years last week. Yes, I was going too fast for a beach cruiser on neighborhood roads. Yes, I’m still cut, and bruised, and slightly discombobulated from smacking my face on the concrete. But you know what? I survived. More than that, I discovered that I’m stronger, tougher, and more resilient than I ever would have guessed. And you know what else? Going fast is fun. While our adventures must be tempered with wisdom, overall, they are good things.

And that’s just the word adventurous. What about expectant? Another amazing word. We should have hope—faith. We should dream big dreams. Imagine an awesome future. Don’t live in fear. Don’t waste your time worrying. It’s a pointless emotion anyway. Look forward to the future with expectation.

Greet God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?” Maybe I love that most of all. How’s that for simple trust? My daddy has something great planned for me. I don’t know what it is, but I’m not worried. I don’t even care! Because I know my daddy, and I know it will be good. So I run to him and throw myself in his arms. I let him spin me in a wild circle with my feet sailing free in the breeze. I giggle in delight as he tosses me over his head. That’s my papa—my daddy after all.

18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. 

I know who I am. I’m a child of the king. And no, not everything will be perfect. Not everything will be easy. But I can look forward with expectation, knowing who I belong to. Knowing I have a glorious inheritance waiting for me. I will go through the hard times with Christ, knowing that good times await me.
Meanwhile, my joyful anticipation deepens. Ahh. Thank you Jesus! Next time we’ll talk even more about the joy in the waiting.

Are you trying to control your life, or are you willing to say, “What’s next, Papa?” Are you timid or are you brave? How can you grow to be more adventurously expectant?

Monday, August 6, 2012

The Cast of Love in Three-Quarter Time

Authors are often asked to cast their characters with current television and movie actors. It's a good exercise for us, and it also helps when we have to turn in a cover sheet questionnaire to our publishers. We can have pictures right at our fingertips to demonstrate what we might like to see on the front of our books.

Here's my proposed cast of characters for Love in Three-Quarter Time. Let's start with the main character, Constance Cavendish. For her, I chose Bella Thorne. Bella, like Constance, is adorable, funny, passionate, and a dancer. Only problem is, as the star of a Disney sitcom, Bella is only fifteen. But since you can't really tell that she's so young, I figured she would work. Plus, Constance is sixteen in the prologue of my book. So I imagine if you would put Bella's hair in a chignon and don her in a Regency gown she'd be just about perfect.


Next is one of the members of my love triangle, Robbie Montgomery, the young plantation owner. Probably the best actor for his role would be Zac Efron, but we'd need to die his hair just a little bit darker.



Now comes Lorimer, the enigmatic circuit preacher, and probably my personal favorite character in this whole series. The actor I was originally thinking of was too old for the role, but he gave me a good picture in my head. This is Kevin McKidd from Grey's Anatomy, and if you've seen the show, you'll understand that I was often imagining him opposite a young Patrick Dempsey as Robbie.
.


But I have since found this Bachelorette contestant who really could be the perfect Lorimer. 


That brings us to Patience, Constance's younger sister, who has her own story arc in the book. Patience is much more practical and scientific than Contance. The best actress I've seen for her, Challen Cates, is a good bit too old and her eyes should be amber colored, but she'll have to suffice for now. The face shape, hair color, and dimples are what caught my attention. She plays a very practical, organized mom on a Nickelodeon sitcom. (Can you tell what kind of shows we watch at my house?) Her general demeanor fits Patience really well. The second picture could also be a potential Patience. The eyes are perfect, but I'm not sure who this is. Anyone know?


To round off my cast of point of view characters is Theodore Franklin, the science teacher. According to Constance, he's plain and boring, but Patience sees him as attractive and adorable in a bookish, bespectacled sort of way. For him, I'm going to choose Joseph Gordon-Levit. Although, of course, we'd need to add some Benjamin Franklin style glasses.
So those are my picks for the stars of Love in Three-Quarter Time, but feel free to choose your own. That's half the fun of reading novels. You get to form your own pictures in your head. I hope this helped to whet your appetite for the the book, though. Look for it October 23rd through all your favorite online and ebook distributors.

If you were to write a novel, who would you like to see in the cast?