Black Friday

I crawled out of my warm bed on the day after Thanksgiving at 4:30 a.m. Second thoughts crossed my mind as I turned off the alarm clock. What was I doing? Was saving a few bucks so important? Yes, it was. I am frugal - careful with my money - cheap. A few bucks was a few bucks. Mindlessly, I walked into the bathroom and shoved my head under the cold water. This was my first Black Friday.

I arrived at my first destination at 5:20 a.m. The store opened at 5:30 a.m. I'm was fifteenth in line. Now, I'm not one of those shoppers who haven't a plan on what they want to buy and insist on "looking around." I know what I want to buy, so I go directly to the proper aisle, pick up my item, and shove my way to the checkout.

At the second store I was twenty-fifth in line. Again, I pick up my item and checkout.

I smiled to myself as I drove home. I had purchased three of the big presents I had planned. The trick was selecting a smaller store instead of the Walmarts, Targets, Kohls, and K-marts. I would go to them after a nap and after the crowd had cleared - a little.

It occurred to me that Americans will do whatever they have to just to save a penny. Thousands of shoppers converged on the stores to purchase their wares just to save some money. Some shoppers stay out all night, waiting for that perfect sale. Others (like me) get out of bed in the early morning hours to hit the stores.

So if people will go to this length to save a few dollars, why is it that they won't accept something that is free for the asking and has already been paid in full? Jesus died on the cross, paying the price for our sins and He is willing to give us salvation if we only ask. It's free and we don't have to get out of bed as early...

Red Dirt Book Festival

I'm pleased to announce that the Red Dirt Book Festival will be held in Shawnee, OK, from November 6, 2009, through November 7, 2009. This is a fantastic opportunity for writers to gain valuable writing knowledge and for readers to meet their favorite local authors. The lineup of authors in attentance is staggering, so every reader should be able to find a writer of the genre they love. Two book signing have been scheduled with the first one being at the Shawnee Expo Center on Friday, November 6th, and the second signing at Geiger Hall on the beautiful campus of Oklahoma Baptist Univeristy on Saturday, November 7th. These are two fabulous opportunities to obtain signed copies of books from your favorite authors to give as Christmas presents. Don't miss it!

Also sit in on your favorite authors' classes. Do you want to learn more about the way they write, or how they come up with book ideas? This is the time.

Going Home

While Pastor Ron Woods, The Assembly, Broken Arrow, OK, preached this morning from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. His message was titled The King has One More Move and that we, as Christians, are just passing through this world. Our home is really in heaven with God.

A vision of Christians marching from a long day in battle filled my mind. They were dreary and dirty, and some were injured. They walked slowly, but with their heads held high. When soldiers return from battle they look forward to coming home. We, embattled Christians, need to look forward to going home. In heaven there will be no more pain, nor sickness, nor worries. We ARE soldiers for Christ!

When the battles (times) become tough and you think you cannot go on; when your future is bleak; and when everything seems to be piling up around you, remember that Jesus is the King of Kings and the General of our army. He will lead us.

Evil wants us to think we have lost the war. Evil wants us to doubt ourselves. Evil wants us to give up. Evil tells us that there is no way we will succeed.

But we have fought the fight and we will continue to fight for Jesus. Don't give in to evil.

Just remember that Jesus has one more move to make. And it is a BIG one!

Pastor Ron's sermon reminded me of my Uncle Cotton's sermons. It was a hellfire and brimstone sermon, just like Cotton used to preach. Uncle Cotton is now in heaven reaping the benefits of his battles. He IS a good soldier.

Thrive to be a good soldier. Go to battle for Jesus. The road will be long and tough, but you will not regret being in God's army.

The Snow Melts in Spring

Last night I finished Deborah Vogts' Snow Melts in Spring. I must confess that I do not partically care for romance novels of any size, color, or shape. Old or new; not my thing. Sorry.

But this one was different.

Deborah Vogts skillfully blended romance with football! And rodeo! Wow!

Normally, when I read a genre that just does not grab me by the lapels and shake me, I struggle with every word. Not so with Snow Melts with Spring. I completed the 299 page novel in two sittings (it was either split the reading into two parts or call in to work the next day). It's an easy read with a compelling story.

I recommend Snow Melts in Spring as an excellent story, even if you don't care for romance.

Professionalism

In my job as a law enforcement investigator and as a writer I get the chance to meet many people--people of various cultures and backgrounds. I know we are not supposed to judge, but when we meet persons who display a high level of professionalism, don't we have better feelings about them? I do.

There isn't any reason for a person to not be professional. The literary agents I've spoken with are always professional. The editors and publishers strive to display a high level of professionalism. Even some of the witnesses and subjects in the crimes I investigate can manage a level of professionalism that is satisfactory.

So when I meet that person who isn't friendly, professional, and bitter, I have to shake my head. It's not that hard to be a neighbor. It's not hard to be kind. Being kind actually makes the day go by quicker. If you don't believe me, try it. Start the day by asking God to guide you as you go through the day with a huge smile on your face.

Your smile is powerful. Watch as it changes the days of those you meet. People with who you come in contact and have been experiencing a troubling day will walk away from your glowing face with a new perspective. It works.

Just my thought...

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

The Noticer by Andy Andrews is a wonderful book! I am usually skeptic whenever I see an endorsement that reads that this is the best book the endorser has ever read in their life. C'mon, their entire life? Have they never read any of the great classics like Moby Dick or The Great Gatsby?

I hate to admit that when I picked up The Noticer it already had one strike against it. I was not to be fooled by a lofty endorsement.

From the first page to the last, I admit, I was intrigued. It is a book with a solid purpose and is easy to read. Andy Andrews has a way of spinning the story with the right amount of "perspective" that makes the reader want more. I found myself longing to continue to read regardless what was happening around me. I was taken in.

While The Noticer is probably not the best book I have ever read, I must admit that it is certainly in the top ten.

Now I must read Andy Andrews' The Traveler's Gift.

The Rivers Run Dry by Sibella Giorello

To be honest, this book started slower than I like. I found myself putting it down to do other things when I hoped the hooks at the end of the chapters would keep me reading. Since Sibella Giorello has another book which won a Christy Award (like an Oscar, but for Christian books), I had high ambitions that this one would be on an equal plane.

Sibella Giorello did a great job of dropping clues to the perpetrator's identity and causing unseen curves and twists throughout the middle and end of the story.

The best thing about The Rivers Run Dry is that Sibella Giorello wrote a story that is devoid of any bad language and explicit scenes. It is a book that parents could allow the young readers in their family to enjoy without any worries.