Sunday, September 27, 2009

A Slow Burn by Mary Demuth



A Slow Burn is the second in DeMuth's fiction Defiance Texas Trilogy. Mary digs out the dirt in lives broken without love and forgiveness. Her characters will make you cry and scream at the injustice in the world, and make you sing when they find their way. They will stay with you long after finishing the book.


Excerpts:


"So when Hap says I'm good for nothing but sex and cleaning the house, I have two choices. I can either internalize his words as the gospel truth, or I can remember that to God I'm precious."

"Leaves blustered while his feet plodded steadily along, his breath white in the winter day. Truth was he was blustered too. When it came to Missy, he was a dried out leaf, scattering, skittering here and there, unanchored to limb, to trunk, to roots. She was the tree, he knew. And her fingers let him loose to crunch under boot, to fly on the wind, to decompose in the dirt. God must've been in the wind, hearing Hixon's plea...."


"It's not really life that does the doing, Em. It's when my heart is settled inside me, all quiet like. Then I'm happy.
I take something to help me along."


A Slow Burn is crafted to give the reader insight into abused hearts who need God's love. It's message will help those in need. I recommend the series and I can't wait for the next one.


Get a glimpse of this powerful story in this trailer of the book.


Mary helps Christian parents break fresh spiritual ground, especially those with destructive family patterns. Her message guides parents who don’t want to duplicate the home where they were raised or didn’t have positive parenting role models.



An accomplished writer, Mary’s parenting books include Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, Building the Christian Family You Never Had, and Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. Her real-to-life novels inspire people to turn trials into triumphs: Watching the Tree Limbs (2007 Christy Award finalist, ACFW Book of the Year 2nd Place) and Wishing on Dandelions (2007 Retailer’s Choice Award finalist).


Mary speaks at women’s retreats and parenting seminars, addressing audiences in both Europe and the United States. She also has articles published in Marriage Partnership, In Touch, and HomeLife.


Mary and her husband Patrick live in Texas with their three children. Check out Mary's website.

I received this book as a participant in the Blog Book Tour. Check out what other readers think about this book.


This one is good, folks.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Hey, I can see you NOW

It's 10:30 PM and all my followers and their lovely pictures are BACK. Yeah! Hopefully tomorrow you'll all still be here.

I really don't know who to thank....but thanks..

I Can't See You

This post is dedicated to my followers who I cannot see on my blog. I understand from friends that they can see the followers. BUT I can't.....whine.... I've checked the blog help, and found many others have this problem, but I could find no solution. The internet imp has struck again.


Sooo, if you have signed up to follow me, please leave a comment after this post, so I can find your blog easily. Hope this corrects soon.


Bear with me,


karen

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Tanks Don't Have Shock Absorbers

David, my son, straps on my helmet before my ride on a AAV (Amphibian Assault Vehicle) during Family Day at the Marine Base. They piled us "civilians" on board, about twelve of us, six on each side. We plopped down on hard metal benches facing each other. My son climbed over our group and took his place up front to drive the land course for this momentous occasion. I secretly suspected his driving maneuvers to be a bit wild with his Mom and Dad aboard. They were.


From the time the back end closed and the diesel fumes surrounded us, the AAV rocked and rolled, bounced and turned. Whoooeee, I always imagined I possessed adequate, if not more than adequate padding on my backside. Uh, no. The terrain shoved us next to each other and slammed our "buttocks" hard on the metal benches. Of course no seat belts either. (So this is why we strapped on helmets.) I have ridden mules with smoother trots than this. Oh, where are the shock absorbers? But the aim is not comfort here. AAV's are troop carriers and protectors. They carry troops across water or from ships to land and are equipped with weapons for defense.



"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18


Oh, where are the shock absorbers in these verses? Scripture has many verses about hardships and trouble. My husband was laid off from his job last Thursday. Help, I want a shock absorber! But I know that God's aim is much like the AAV. Whether the terrain is over deep water or dangerous land, He is our defense. I must trust His driving. He is equipped with all the weapons for combat and will bring me safely through this battle.




So what if my "buttocks" slams down on the seat, I know I'd rather be protected without shock absorbers than be comfy and vulnerable in war.


Say, does anyone have a pillow?


Blessings**






Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Regular Post Interruption

Hey, all you writer types, check out Kindred Heart Writers blog. My short post is a contest for another blog award, and might, just might give your idea wings.

Thanks

Monday, September 14, 2009

"Hope" Me


This squirrel has an acorn in it's mouth. She is clinging to my patio screen for dear life. She's trapped, or so she thinks. The squirrel jumped on the screen hoping to avoid another "supposedly" starving squirrel vying for the acorn. (There are plenty in my yard.) It also sees me with my camera looking out my glass slider. But that's not what has her frozen. My golden retriever stands at my side, his hunter eyes focused on this enticing furry object on his screen. He drools, yes, dogs drool, ready to charge if I should open my glass door even an inch.

But this silly squirrel doesn't realize I won't let my dog out and a nice sturdy slider keeps the dog at bay. What she sees and imagines freezes her. She doesn't know I will not allow my dog to harm her. What does she hope for? To eat her acorn and live.

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him." Psalms 62:5

Life is tough. Many times I feel like this squirrel, clinging to my last morsel, and imagining all the things that can go wrong. No hope paralyzes and destroys any ministry. I can see the "hunter" drooling in the future, ready to pounce if given an inch.

"For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men." 1 Timothy 4:10

When I look and "fix" my eyes on the living God from which hope comes, I can step out and run, just like the squirrel did when she turned and jumped on the bush and ran to the nearest tree. Safe from the hunter and his opponent and with her acorn intact.

Thank you Savior and giver of Hope.

photo-karenrevans-click on pic to enlarge and you can see her large eyes.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Never Forget 9/11





I pledge allegiance to the flag
























of the United States of America




















and to the Republic for which it stands




















One Nation, under God,






















Indivisable















with Liberty













and Justice










For All.






Photos: first five by geekphilosopher, last three by david and karen evans

Saturday, September 5, 2009

God's Work-MITC

Hey Ya'll,


Check out my brother's new website and video. After my parents left the mission field, he stayed on. I'm so proud of him and the work God enables him to do. If you have a minute or two take time and check out his site.





Here's a picture of the two of them and their four "little" boys. ha, ha....



Just had to brag a bit.


Have a good day to all,


Blessings