Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Throne


I have recently stepped into the twilight zone.  I know change is a part of life, but when you have a lot at once, it can be overwhelming.  But, regardless of what happens here, Jesus is on His throne and no one or nothing is strong enough to move Him from that position.  He will always be watching over us.  That alone should be enough to give us comfort.

 “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; Psalm 121:3-5 (NIV)”

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Speak No Evil

I am honored to have Mary Hamilton on my blog today.  She is discussing her new Middle Grade Novel, "Speak No Evil."



 

You’ve recently seen the publication of your second Middle Grade novel, Speak No Evil. Tell us about the book and the Rustic Knoll Bible Camp Series.

 

Each of the books in the series can be read as stand alone books. The major characters are introduced in the first book but each story follows a different character as they come to camp for the first time or return in following years. Hear No Evil, Book 1 is the story of Brady, whose mother leaves him at camp with the news she doesn’t want him living with her anymore. Besides trying to figure out what he did to earn her rejection, Brady becomes the target of the camp bully, a boy named Taylor.

Taylor is the hero of Speak No Evil. His dream is to get his driver’s license and eventually become a racecar driver. His younger sister is the only one who believes in his dreams, but her thirst for adventure always gets Taylor in trouble. When she goes to camp with him, he figures she’ll be a pain, but he never expects the pain to go so deep.

 

 

Your connection with youth camps is obvious from the vividness of your setting. Are these stories autobiographical?

 

A lot of my background plays into them, but the stories themselves come from my observations of other children. My childhood at the camp where my dad was director was pretty idyllic, but as I’ve raised my children and watched the tragedy of dysfunctional and broken families in the lives of their friends, it made me want to write stories of hope for these kids. They carry so much pain within them, and most of the time, we never have a clue what they’re dealing with.

 

 

What was it like to write about a bully as the main character?

 

It was a challenge! Taking a character I didn’t really like and making him likeable was not easy. I went back to my school days and remembered a boy who was considered a goof-off. He always had an attitude and acted like he didn’t care about anyone or anything. When a teacher assigned us to small groups to work on a project and made him the leader of my small group, I thought for sure we’d get a poor grade. But to my surprise, this boy was the best leader I’d ever had. He assigned different parts of the project to each of us and made sure we did the work. I gained a lot of respect for him in that small group. So when I fashioned Taylor’s character, I found what he was good at, and gave him a dream. And I ended up falling in love with his character.

 

 

What do you want readers to take away from Speak No Evil?

 

I hope it will encourage them to look past the outward behavior and appearance of people who seem difficult to get along with. Many times with kids especially, their behavior is a defense against deep hurt. A kind word or deed, a willingness to extend grace to them and to show yourself on their side will often break through that tough façade. Kids really need to know that someone cares about them.

 

 

Any more books planned for this series?

 

I’m working on one more book, titled See No Evil, that’s due out next year. This book will feature Steven, a blind camper who befriends Brady in the first book and plays a small part in Taylor’s story.

 

 

How can readers interact with you?

 




Twitter:@mhamilton122

 

 

Book links:

You can find the books on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Christianbook.com



         Book Trailer for Speak No Evil: http://tinyurl.com/on44xf4

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Antler Toothpicks



            How many of you are thinking, “I thought toothpicks were made of wood?”  Or how about, “Are they sold at Bass Pro?  I want some.”  I did have a pair of antler toothpicks courtesy of my husband Tim and he didn’t get them at Bass Pro.

            Tim does taxidermy and one day he was mounting a buck.  He asked me to come out to his shop and hold the deer down while he bolted it on to the plaque.  Being the sweet and wonderful wife that I am (LOL) I be-bopped out to help him.  Before we go any further, I have to let it be known that Tim was used to working by himself.  Anyway, I was holding the deer steady at the top of the head.  Apparently the deer wasn’t lying on the plaque the way Tim wanted it to and he gave the deer a big shove.


“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;” Psalm 121:7 (NIV)


            The buck’s antlers went in my mouth-under my top lip and above my teeth!  And I didn’t get a scratch.  I got to thinking about all the possible injuries I could have sustained from that.  Some of them could have been severe.  God so had his hand on me.  How else could I have walked away from that completely uninjured?  Needless to say, Tim has never asked me to help again.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Happy birthday Sara

Today is my daughter's 22 birthday!  Seems like she should still be a little girl.  This is a big year for her.  She graduated from the University of the Cumberlands and she is getting married and moving out.  Tim and I are very proud the young woman she has become.  What a blessing she is!



 
 


 
 

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Fingers in Ears



            Yes I still stick my fingers in my ears during fireworks.  Always have and I always will. Why?  I hate sudden loud noises.  If I see somebody getting ready to pop a balloon, I put my fingers in my ears and run the other direction.  I don’t know why I’m like that.  Guess I’m just a little too high strung.  Ironically, I play my car radio so loud my husband can hear it in the house when I pull in the driveway.

“Where can I go from your Spirit?   

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

    if I settle on the far side of the sea,

 even there your hand will guide me,

    your right hand will hold me fast.”

Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV)

            You may be like me and try to avoid the sounds of exploding fireworks, but you can never avoid God.  There is no escaping Him.  He is everywhere.  For those who don’t know Him, that can be a frightening thing, but if you are His, then it is a comfort beyond understanding.    Why would you not want that?

            Oh and by the way, on the 4th, I’ll be watching fireworks with my fingers in my ears.  So if you see me and wave, don’t expect me to wave back until the fireworks are over.
 

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Beach Shoes


Before Sara started college, we used to go to the beach once a year.   On one trip, my husband Tim decided he just had to have a pair of beach shoes.  So we went from shop to shop along A1A (main beach road) to find him the perfect pair. It took a few stops, but he finally found what he wanted.

I have to admit I did think that was a strange request on his part.  He’s has always said if a shark was going to get him, it would have to be an ankle biter.  So when he wore his new shoes to the beach, I stood back and watched.  Would he actually get in the water with them?

As soon as the wave came in; he went the other way as fast as he could. I laughed at him and asked why he wanted the beach shoes if he wasn’t going to get them wet.  He wasn’t using them for their purpose.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

            God knew our purpose before we were even born and He made us accordingly.  Are you letting God use you for that purpose or are you running from it? Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet.  It may have been what you were designed for.


Saturday, June 14, 2014

Staying in the Lines



I have never been able to paint or color within the lines.  No matter how hard I try, I always stray.  Even when I go slow and take my time, I still go outside of the lines. To be honest, I have been frustrated and embarrassed at times.  Then one day I realized that I wasn’t meant to stay within the lines.

 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)

            It’s okay to stray out of the lines as long as you’re following Jesus.  He alone has the perfect path-not the world for its patterns are imperfect and self-serving.