I always have a story to write. Often my stories, even the demonic ones as well as the angelic they come out of my past. Now if you were to change your story what would you change?
For me, it took a while to even consider the idea…. But, online, I found an intriguing idea: "Think of a childhood moment—imagine if things had gone differently.” Now, in life we do not get a do-over but in our imagination we can. So, here goes: If my particular moment in life has changed, how would my life be different now? What would/has remained the same? Old story: 1951 mom divorced our father for putting alcohol first. We moved to the Pacific Northwest and mom met a man who later became our step-dad. 1954 our father came to ask mom to take him back; he still loved her but he still smelled of alcohol and she said, go away. He left. New story: Our Dad, remorseful, did whatever was necessary to have his family again, gave up drinking, so mom welcomed him back with open arms and bid potential stepdad farewell. Dad went to work, as before, and between the two of them they saved their money and opened a restaurant (which they’d also done before); it became popular and they prospered. Me, I was always a rebel and so, I fell for a lowlife who took advantage of a young girl and my life went on in the same vein as before. I cannot imagine that part being any different. It’s interesting that I can imagine a better life for my mother and father but not myself. On the other hand, if my life had changed for the better, if I’d lived a rich girl life, what would I have been like? I’ve seen the rich and famous on television. I’ve also known some rich folks who’re really great people. A brother and his wife, for example, so I know goodness among the rich is possible. Now when I write about angels (nice people in life) and demons (not so nice people in life) I find ways for them to see the light and hear new voices in their head so they can change their life and find a new heaven on earth, or in heaven. Hey, with God anything is possible. ~~~~~ Here’s some ways to change your story:
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Recently, I read several articles concerning the soul at death, because some of my books have characters whose earthly selves had died and, in the story, they are now living in Heaven (as well as interacting within the ‘fiction' story). Was I correct in their even being in heaven then?
I’m always looking for answers and often it’s simpler to seek the Lord because I didn’t know where to look in the Bible. For example when my mother was dying and my brother, sister and I were caring for her, I opened the Bible and struggled to find comforting passages. Nada. So, I went to the Psalms and all I could find at the time were verses on anything but comfort. Here’s an example, Psalms 12 says, "Everyone lies, flatters, and deceives. Nothing but empty talk, smooth talk, and double-talk. Where are the truthful? (Psalms 12:2-3). Well, I didn’t want to hit my mother with that sort of thing, not on her death bed for pity sake. Okay - back to the reason for the blog. This time, I prayed for an answer and the Lord gave me this story. It would have been appropriate back then, but in every situation I’ve confronted, one thing I’ve learned is ‘I am not an evangelist.’ Which is why I write these stories (loaded with scripture if you’re looking); it’s my way of sharing what I do know about Adonai, Yeshu’a and what I ‘imagine’ life after death and heaven would be like - told from a fictional point of view, of course. Moving on... “What happens to my soul when I die?” As a pastor and a teaching theologian, this is one of the most frequent questions I receive. However, the inquiry most often comes, not in the form of a question, but in the context of crisis. Indeed, this is how the question was posed by Mrs. Henley: in a defining moment of her faith on trial. …. I was a pastor “on loan,” …dispatched to provide pastoral ministry to a family I didn’t know. …. Mrs. Gladys Henley, Mr. Henley’s wife of sixty-some-odd years was there to greet me. Mr. Henley’s forty-plus-year-old son and his wife were also there. …. I rehearsed the pastoral visit. … drew in a breath of hope as I exhaled a prayer: “Lord, guide me.” I opened my Bible. I needed a passage that would serve as my “pastoral prescription” … [at least God answered him at the time] My eyes found the words of Acts of the Apostles and Peter’s quote of Psalm 16:10, “For you will not abandon my soul to Hades or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence” (Acts 2:27, 28 ESV). The family greeted me …in a family vigil. For, by then, Mr. Henley was a dying man. [and Mrs. Henley was tired so… The nurse encouraged Mrs. Henley, to leave for tea and a sandwich. She agreed and left with her son, and his wife. ] … alone with Mr. Henley. … I felt led to speak, “Mr. Henley, I am not sure if you can hear me, Sir. I have a Scripture for you from God’s Word. It is a very simple and powerful truth. I am certain you know it.”… “‘We are confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord’ (2Corinthians 5:8, italics added). … He moved not. I was not deterred. … I began to pray the Lord’s Prayer audibly: “Our Father...” Mr. Henley’s lips began to move. I drew closer, still praying, “who art in heaven...” [He] was seeking to pray with me. “Hallowed be Thy Name ...” He began to worship God. …He uttered the next phrase as if waiting to catch up with me. “Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done...” As I continued, more confident in my own faith because of his, his voice went silent. …Mr. Henley had stopped breathing. At just about “Thy Kingdom come...” Mr. Henley’s prayer was answered. Mr. Henley was in the presence of the Lord. …I thought of the Psalmist’s words, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15 KJV). … Soon enough, the family returned. …This new widow needed the promises of God, the assurance of the love of God, and the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ... she embraced me — and wept, ever so softly. Right after I spoke these words, it happened: “Mrs. Henley, the Bible says your dear husband is in the presence of our Lord Jesus at this very second. He passed from this life into the arms of Jesus. I was with him as his soul departed this room. He is more alive than ever.” … The still, quiet sobs were broken by a stern word from her son. “Mother, I am sorry, but that is not right. Daddy is not here. He is, well, for all practical purposes, just asleep.” He spoke the words for his mother, but he aimed his arrows at me. …“Mother, come out here and let me talk to you.” Mrs. Henley followed obediently. … What else could she do? … [Then] Mrs. Henley returned. …She took my hands without ever moving her eyes from mine…. “Oh Pastor, my son says my husband’s soul is just asleep! He is not with the Lord! …” I held Mrs. Henley and felt the deep grief. “He is gone, Pastor. But where? Where is my husband?” “What happens to the soul at the time of death?” To understand, [this pastor] arranged the biblical material according to the Bible’s explanation about the soul and the soul’s destiny. … I opened my Bible and asked his grieving widow to read the Scriptures, she wiped her eyes, …leaning in to read: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV). Mrs. Henley looked up again. “Pastor, I read that according to the Bible my Robert — my husband — is with the Lord. As soon as his spirit left his body he went to be with Jesus. That is what I had always been taught. But my son . . . Oh, is this the truth?” …. “According to our Lord Jesus Christ I say in the name of God, you will see your husband again.” And she rested in the promises of God. But have you? The soul lives forever in one of two places: with your Creator or without Him. The adjudication of your eternal life rests with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. And He welcomes any and all who will turn from all other persons and plans and turn unto Him. For Jesus our Lord says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Rest from the frantic search for answers. Trust in Christ Jesus … [italics added] Christ’s sacrifice for your sins — has secured your destiny. And you will never walk alone. … Lord, our Heavenly Father: I am in awe of Your mighty creative power demonstrated not only in the wonder of the stars above or in the microscopic invisible world, but, especially, in the coming of Your Son Yeshu’a our Lord; and in His perfect life lived for me and His sacrificial death offered for me on the cross, I do repent — turn away from — my sin of unbelief, self-sufficiency, and trusting in anyone and thing other than Your Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth; I know I am a soul and body, and I ask that You transform my soul according to Your promises and Your power; I ask that you forgive me and receive me as Your child; and I believe when I depart from this life I will go immediately to You; So, take me and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/where-does-our-soul-go-when-we-die.html (heavily edited for more concise reading in this blog and to share the message) Did you know there are websites that allegedly promote kindness. Except, kindness can be hell itself - if the person trying to be kind is merely being nice. Now the difference, which our culture has somewhat conflated, needs clarity: as believers (if you are one) you are called to act kindly. which isn't simple pleasantries or being nice—rather kindness is a deep love, respect, and care for one another, and not cold icy silence when someone offends you, for instance.
The reason I’m mention it is because one of my characters, an angel, she strives to be both kind and honest with Lucifer and her goal is to help him see ’the truth.’ Does her kindness do more harm than good? Perhaps, for later in the story, Yeshu’a himself confronts the angel with Adonai’s truth. It was an eye opener for her and altered her approach to the lord of Hell. The truth is, Lucifer is a liar and a deceiver - he is trying to get back at Adonai, after all - but there’s more to his role in hell, as well, one I’d not considered until after I read an article about it. That author’s opinion struck me as ’truth', despite the devil’s deceptive ways. I wish I’d kept the article and while I searched for it, I could not find the reference. In my story, Miriam chastises Lucifer for being who he is. Angry, he storms off. She knows an apology is needed but, more so, Lucifer needs to see himself for who he is and why Miriam cannot love him. As she debates this, terrified of walking the halls of Hell for fear of demons, Yeshu’a confronts Miriam and reminds her of Lucifer’s purpose, which she’s attempting to alter. Hell is there for a reason. Someone must rule, though God is in control. The infliction of punishment is proportionate to degrees - an outworking of divine justice because God judges righteously (Acts 17:31) and it is a function of God’s justice to avenge every wrong (Rev. 16:1–7; 19:1–6). Did he assign Lucifer this task when he sent him to Hell? I don’t know. So in the story, in the interests of divine justice punishment is given out according to the nature of an offense. In the Old Testament a more severe punishment for premeditated murder was given than for accidental homicide. There were cities designated as places of safety if you were fleeing from “relatives seeking revenge” even for an accidental killing; they offered peace and protection. So there are prescribed measures for various offenses at least in the OT. The nature of the crime, the motivations, and the circumstances - these all determine the measure of punishment. And while Adonai’s in control, someone has to see that the punishment is carried out. Why not Lucifer? Now, I don’t know if that’s biblically true. Everyone has a different opinion on that subject, and so, I used my idea or opinion. After all, it’s fantasy in the supernatural or paranormal realm. Are you old enough to remember the Twilight Zone? A recent event in my life reminds me of the series. When I cannot sleep at night this is the sort of thing I do. An author, I use Fictionary, an online editing program. and usually people are fairly responsive, Until the other day.
I went online yesterday, but was unable to access Story Teller software so I could not edit my manuscripts. I’ve asked for help a few times but no one is responding. Did I drop off the face of the earth or did everyone else? I’d move on except I paid my $699 to become an editor and am 1/3 of the way through, but now I cannot use the program. So, I called: You hoo. Is anyone out there? No answer. Maybe never There’s an idea for a story… I’m thinking: A woman wakes up and starts her day except when she goes to the store no one is there. Driving home, she notices her car is the only one on the street. She calls a friend then her sister, but no one answers. Turning on the news to see if there has been a national disaster, nothing. Na da. No people, no news. It’s twilight zone. she begins to wonder ‘Am I going crazy? That’s the way it feels when people don’t respond to you. It’s always better to tell them the truth than to remain silent. Yeah, I know. What the heck does that have to do with the maybe story? I’ll let you know if I write it. Authors are always concerned with roadblocks in writing. While I have oodles of ideas, the trouble I have is with a title for a novel. So, in case you didn't read the Home page here's what I'm proposing: a contest for a book title and here's the blurb.
_____ In a time ruled by the Lord of Heaven and populated by angels, demons, and other supernatural beings, the story follows the tumultuous relationship between Miriam, an enchanting beautiful angel, and Lucifer, a gorgeous rebellious cherub. Despite their undeniable attraction, their paths constantly diverge due to their conflicting natures and beliefs. Once Lucifer is evicted from Heaven, Miriam is caught in a love triangle between Lucifer and Andras, a lustful demon commander, also very handsome. She must navigate through their intense emotions and danger. Then, Miriam finds herself kidnapped into Hell as a test of her purity. Amidst jealousy and betrayals, Miriam and Lucifer's bond grows stronger and they come to find solace in each other, in Hell. Then, as the two are torn apart once again, Lucifer must make a difficult decision - whether to save Miriam or to live without her for an eternity. In this epic tale of love and redemption, will Miriam be able to reunite with her beloved Lucifer in the face of danger and temptation? Or will their love be lost forever? _______ Thus begins a new drama but I Need a Title for the Novel and offer a contest. So send in your ideas, and, if your Title is selected, I will send you a FREE copy ASAP (as soon as published) in either paperback or eBook, whatever way you prefer. Do you have negative thoughts or destructive dialog in your mind? I imagine some of us, especially if we’ve not sold many books (if any) may embrace destructive dialog or negative thoughts. After all, they seem reasonable because they appeal to our normal human insecurities.
Let me give you an example. I’m writing a book called “Our War with Lucifer.” While reading an article by Jack Graham, I’m beset by doubt and negative thoughts, destructive deceptions that go something like: My writing is nowhere near as good; No one will want to read what I’ve written; My book is so inadequate; and so goes the litany of doubt and insecurity. And part of me wants to give up and stop writing. On the other hand, there’s another force at work in my life as well, (I’m a believer in Yeshu’a) so I’ve an angelic force fighting the battle for me between good and evil, negative thought patterns and healthy ones. And whether my book is as good as Jack Graham or anyone else is not the point. The point is, Adonai/God prompted me to write about the spiritual and so, write I will. Maybe I’m not as good a writer as some authors, but one day, if I persist, practice and improve, I may be. What makes me think that way? Well, because I trust Adonai who works all things together for the good of those who love him and are obedient when fulfilling the purposes for which He called us. You see, the more we allow negativity or destructive dialog to confuse our minds the more influence the negative has over us. So, whether you're a writer of nonfiction or fiction or maybe you're pursuing another career, don't permit the negative to gain a foothold in your life. If it's already there, resist, resist, resist. When you resist the devil, he will flee from you. Years ago, I used IngramSparks to publish my first books, but that was before I discovered Kindle. Now I use Kindle to publish my books and Apple, but there are limits. For instance, I cannot get my books into libraries and such. So, I went back to IngramSparks.
Oh my goodness, what a nightmare. I've formatted my own books for years and like the way they come out - very professional looking - because I've followed the example of professionals! Ingram is not very professional looking, not anymore. When I upload my books, properly formatted, most of my Chapters they show are missing, like if I have 23 chapters in my books, An Affair with An Angel, on Ingram, they only show Chapters 1, 4, 16, and 23. The rest are smushed inside those four chapters. WTH. It's so ridiculous it's absurd. Yes, it's a double negative or whatever, but so apropos. And, if I sell a book on Amazon Kindle, I also reap greater rewards whereas on IngramSparks, my royalties for eBooks are almost half of what I get on Kindle. A $4.99 books gets me $2.00 on Ingram whereas on Kindle, the same book nets me $3.45. Yikes! Nice difference. It's no wonder IngramSparks lets you publish the first go around for free because they charge you for any necessary editing, and editing is AlWays necessary with their program. I've read several reviews on IngramSparks and nearly everyone I've read says the same thing; they're worthless for publishing your ebooks and/or print books. I have several print books I originally published with them back in 2009 and they were excellent. But after reading the reviews, I've learned (and from my recent experience) I'll stick with Amazon Kindle. And there you have it. A short post but I hope an informative one. Vampires are awesome creatures, or so some authors make them seem. I'm reading a series now about a young girl, which makes it highly improbable she does the things she does, but it gives me ideas for my novels.
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AuthorI'm a talker and always have something to say. And so, it stands to reason, I should turn my thoughts into stories. Archives
March 2024
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