Jul 26, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
INVITATION: Harbingers, Cycle One
Book Three is no less exciting than Books One or Two. In fact, in my opinion, it’s better. It’s better because — Oh, wait.
Not sure you want to know the spoilers.
So we’re gonna do this again. Yup, I’m gonna type random notes so you don’t see anything you don’t want to unless you actively click and scroll.
That’s right. You have to decide. Do you want to know the next episode from Andi’s POV? [Sorry, Mom. That’s writer speak for Point of View.]
I’ll tell ya a non-spoiler. Andi was raised in Florida by Jewish grandparents. And author Angela Hunt presents them both remarkably well. I feel like I’m in a Florida storm, listening to Andi’s Safta (Grandma) talk of how she’s smart but needs a good, Jewish husband.
Right of the bat, and I mean BAM! Front Page News kind of excitement- this weird thing happens. Andi has a premonition. Now, she’s always good at visualizing patterns, but notsomuch the other stuff. But it happens. And the wildlife starts to die off. Rapidly. But–super creepy here–with no eyes. Oh, yeah. That’s right. Fish wash ashore and birds drop from the sky with holes where their sightseers used to be.
It’s like Signs and The Birds and other creepy movies all rolled into one. And this is just Chapter Two!
As Andi researches mass animal deaths, she discovers another pattern. The pattern. Phi. Now, being the nerd geek life student that I am, I looked up Phi. It hurt my head. So much information! And I wanted to get back to the book. So, let’s just call up a cursory memory of mathematics. Remember the TV Show NUMB3RS? “Everything is numbers.” [Side note: NUMB3RS is currently not on TV reruns or Netflix. Not to toot my horn, but I told y’all Why DVDs are still important, didn’t I?] Okay, but don’t let that scare you. You don’t have to be some awkward Big Bang Theory adult to get this. Just know that there are patterns everywhere, and Andi’s your girl for figuring them out.
“Something was out of kilter in the universe.”
Andi decides it’s time to get the band back together, and sends Sabba’s (Grandpa’s) jet to pick up the peeps. Not understanding the dynamics of this conversation, Safta and Sabba have left for their vacation home in Manhattan and soon the rest are having dinner together.
Remember the little boy, Daniel? He connects with Andi’s dog in a way only he can. As the group sits on the porch, something invisible–not Daniel’s friend from Book Two–startles the pair and Abby the Labrador runs off and disappears.
Meanwhile the University Hazmat team and local Aquarium doctor reach out to Andi and the Professor with their explanations, which really don’t explain a thing.
Of course there’s a Sherlock Holmes reference, the good detective’s take on Occam’s Razor. So I’m pretty much in love with the book for this passage alone.
I wanna say, “Now here’s where it gets good,” like the stuff I’ve read so far hasn’t been. There’s doubt and floating orbs and evil and things only a drunk can see and then there’s . . . more. A demon? An alien? A hallucination? And what becomes of it? Where is Andi’s dog? Why does Daniel see and sense things the others can’t?
I held my breath through most of the book, putting it down only to make notes. And here’s the thing, the most remarkable thing for me: I read it all in one sitting.
Folks, that’s just not something I do. But I needed to know what happened.
And you do, too. You know you do!
So this blog post is over. It’s time for y’all to get yourself a copy and see what happens next. And next week, I get to read Al Gansky’s contribution. Y’all know that makes me happy. I owe that man a coffee. After reading his book, I may just buy him two.
Hop on over to get your copy of INVITATION: Harbingers, Cycle One.
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : INVITATION: Harbingers, Cycle One, Book Three. @RealMojo68 @angiehunt #harbingers #sentinel
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 25, 2017 |
Welcome Beckie Lindsey to Frankly, My Dear. I’ve known this strong woman since she messaged me three years ago. “Can I pick your brain on writing? I’ll buy you a Starbucks.” I pretty much offered to let her move into my study if she supplies coffee regularly. Our friendship developed and is still maintained through a mutual bond of writing, God, cats, and yes, coffee. I’m pleased as punch to have been the first editor on her soon-to-be published Beauties for Ashes, and invited her to share her faith with us.
By Beckie Lindsey @LindseyBeckie
I have a confession to make—I have experienced seasons when I don’t hear from God. Yes, I mean complete silence for an extended period. At first, it was disconcerting, especially when other Christians seemed to have a direct hotline to God at all times. What’s wrong with me? I questioned.
Have you noticed Christians are quick to share stories of answered prayers ladened with all the feel-goods and warm fuzzies? But we’re not nearly as vocal about the desperate times we persisted in prayer and were met with silence. However, I think these stories might be just as important. So, if your prayers seem to be echoing off the walls, don’t lose faith.
Frankly, My Dear . . . So, if your prayers seem to be echoing off the walls, don’t lose faith.
You are among good company. Job was well acquainted with God’s silence. Abraham was met with silence as he planned to sacrifice his son. There’s no mention of Joseph hearing from God while in prison either.
In my own life, God’s silence has tempted me to doubt. I think most of us can relate.
What Can We do During the Periods of Silence?
Examine Your Life
Make sure nothing is blocking you from being able to hear God’s voice. We must begin with asking ourselves these questions:
- Is there someone I need to forgive?
- Do I have wrong motives?
- Have I put anything above my relationship with God?
As God brings things to mind, be quick to ask for forgiveness.
Please understand, God’s silence does not always mean we have unconfessed sin. Job was righteous and yet went through many trials while God remained silent.
Keep Talking
God’s silence doesn’t mean we should turn our backs and stop praying. Don’t give up! The Psalms are a great example of crying out to God.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.”
~Psalm 22:1-2
Recognize that Silence Creates Hunger
When God is silent, it can lead us to a richer, deeper experience and hunger for more of Him.
Let’s relate this concept to our diets. Last summer I did a dietary cleanse, eliminating refined sugar, processed foods, bread, grains, and red meat from my diet. The cleanse was very restrictive and specific in what I could and could not eat. After several days, I was allowed to slowly add certain foods like grains back into my diet. I cannot tell you how great that quinoa tasted! If we allow it, spiritual hunger can cause us to be grateful for every opportunity to hear from God.
Wait
Waiting means trusting. Can we trust God even during the silence? Job did, Abraham did, Joseph did, Mary did, Paul did—and so can we!
So, if you are in the midst of a season of silence, remember that God has not left you. In fact, if you are a Christian, His Holy Spirit lives within you. He is as close as your breath. Throughout the Bible, we see God’s desire to be known through relationship. We must trust if He is silent, He has a good reason because He is good!
Hold on beloved, the Lord is near to those who draw near to Him!
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: When God is Silent. @RealMojo68 @LindseyBeckie #franklymydear #faith
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Beckie Lindsey is an award-winning writer, poet, freelancer, and blogger. She is the editor of Southern California Voice, a division of One Christian Voice, LLC., a national news syndicating agency. She is the author of devotions, a devotional study journal, and the upcoming YA novel, Beauties from Ashes. She and her husband Scott have three adult children, two adorable cats and live in California. Learn more about Beckie at https://beckielindsey16.com/
Jul 24, 2017 |
by Jacqueline Patterson @JacPatterson
Paige’s Plantation – How to be a Southern Belle in Ten Easy Steps
Have you always wanted to be a Southern Belle, but were raised in the foreign field beyond the Mason-Dixon line? Follow these fail-proof tips and you’ll soon convince anyone you were raised on Tara.
1. Use “y’all” like salt; sprinkle a little bit everywhere. We’ll be testing you according to your ability to use common Southern speech. Bless your heart.
2. Learn how to make good biscuit. Note that I DID NOT SAY BISCUITS. Biscuits –plural— are the nasty glob you find in cans at Wal-Mart. Biscuit —singular— are handmade goodness so delicious they’ll make you slap your mama. Apologies, Mama. The biscuit made me do it.
3. If the tea isn’t sweet, don’t drink it. Being offered unsweetened tea is an insult, because any true Southerner knows tea is just liquid sugar. Your best option is to be off like a herd of turtles.
Frankly, My Dear . . .: If it ain’t sweet, it ain’t tea!
4. If the occasion calls for an insult, sugar it down. Add a little “Bless your heart, Hun”, or an affectionate “deah” and grin like a mule eating briars. After all, Southern ladies hide their animosity beneath a thick layer of syrup.
5. The Gone with the Wind gown may not be necessary, but are you really going shopping in jeans and a T-shirt? Not unless you want them to think you’re not a lady, honey. You’ve got to shine. Break out the heels and the jewelry. Also, a true Southern lady knows to choose a handbag so big it makes her hips look small.
6. Citronella is your perfume of choice during the summer (and every other season down South). Also, this is the way to catch a good man. He’ll latch onto you once he realizes you’re a mosquito-free zone.
7. When you need to really impress, break out your mounted deer heads. A true Southern lady provides food for her household, you know. How else are we supposed to know you’re a decent human being and a good shot?
8. The bigger the hair, the better. And on Easter morning? Fluff it out like an 80’s glamor shot, hun. Otherwise everyone in church will look at you like you’re the three-legged dog in a horse race.
9. A true Southern lady is proud of her social skills. The best of us can carry on a conversation with a live possum and come away smiling. Of course, it helps if the possum is smiling too.
10. And, as always, remember to just be yourself. Only, of course, sweetened up with a little accent and a smile so big it’ll make the sun blush.
How do you stay Southern? Leave a comment.
TWEET THIS: Tweet: How to be a Southern Belle in Ten Easy Steps @RealMojo68 @JacPatterson #southernbelle #franklymydear
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Jacqueline Patterson
Dragon Tamer. Ancient Rome fanatic. Writer living on the edge of fictional worlds. J. A. Patterson attempted to teach herself to write at the age of four, wrote her first book (featuring eerily violent chickens) at age five, and has been immersed in books ever since. Sometimes literally. When she isn’t writing, you can find her studying music, reading, and searching for portals to new fantasy worlds. Talk to Jacqueline about books, and she will be your friend forever. You can connect with her through her website and blog J.A.Patterson, on Twitter and Instagram.
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Jul 23, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, On Faith.
There are many Bible verses that discuss God’s time. He is eternal, but we are not. We have an earthly beginning and end. And in the current pressures to multi-task and do more, more, more, we often feel we can’t keep up and will never get any of it done.
In those moments, it’s okay ~ good, even ~ to step back. Step down. Say, “Wait.” Say, “No.” It’s good to know we don’t have to do it all, and we don’t have to have it all done at the same time. It’s good to focus on what’s really important.
God gives us time and time again, His all. His forgiveness. His strength. His beauty. His peace. He doesn’t count to three and say, “You’re out.” He doesn’t even remember the nagging.
Please, God. Fix the this. Handle the that. Do it. Do it. Do it.
No, God simply says, “I’m with you. And you’re enough for me just the way you are.”
And He’s waiting for us to say it right back to Him.
To spend time with Him is the ultimate gift we can give.
“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends:
A day is like a thousand years to the LORD,
and a thousand years is like a day.”
~2 Peter 3:8 NLT
Do you think your thirty second prayer doesn’t count? It does. Is it insignificant when you sleepily breathe, “Good night, Lord. Thank you for another day.”? Not at all. He knows all about you, He knows all of you. He knows your heart. And if you continue to go to Him, your seconds will turn to minutes to hours to days until they lead you to eternity.
Frankly, On Faith: Time for Everything
There is no amount of time on earth so slight that He doesn’t want to be a part of it. There is no moment in your life He doesn’t want to be with you, for you, for your world.
TWEET THIS: Frankly, On Faith: Time for Everything. @RealMojo68 #franklyonfaith #God #Bible
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Jul 22, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Social Media Selections
I’m often asked which media platform I prefer, and why. My answer is simple: “All of the above. Because.”
Choosing one venue is like eating only white rice for the rest of your life. Not a mix. Not sometimes long grain and sometimes wild. Just. white. It’s bland. And sure, you can fix it up with some butter and Southern seasonings, but it’s still always going to be just white rice.
Your audience’s social media appetite is the same. You can’t serve them the same fodder and expect them to appreciate it every single time.
Now, we all know Facebook and Twitter are it. I mean, for realz. That’s where the action is, am I right? But I’m also a huge HUGE HUGE fan of Instagram. Because we are becoming creatures of instant attentions, an INYOURFACE graphic will grab attention before a compelling headline.
Frankly, My Dear. . . FROGINYOURFACE!
Case in point: Did y’all read the sentence above first, or glance at the visual? If you’re like me and many of my partners in crime social media cohorts, colors will get you every time. Even if you don’t like the color. It evokes a visceral response, yah? “That’s such a lovely crocus.” or “Can you believe he wore that tie in public?”
Now, I’m not saying every post should be visual. That’s just a rice salad. Nah. Don’t do that.
Think of your social media like a stir-fry or buffet. A little this, a little that. Some meat and potatoes, a side dish, and of course, dessert. Don’t forget something to wash it all down with.
And who doesn’t love a great community potluck? Now and then, invite your friends and family to participate. Share their posts and links. Go visiting. Bring back something delicious.
Okay, have I overdone it with the foodie references? I know. I’m sorrynotsorry. But there’s something to be said with serving up a variety. Even when using the same platter, make sure what you’re serving isn’t always stale leftovers.
How do you serve your social media followers?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear. . . : Serving up Social Media @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #franklymydearmojo
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : How do you serve your social media followers? @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #franklymydearmojo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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