Artwork for the Book

Here is the new artwork by Farah Shaw which she has so generously painted for me. What do you think?

The Process.....

Okay, so where is this book we are all waiting for? It is still in the process!! The process.....how long does it take? Well, depends on how much time one puts into it. At present - not too much! This is the problem... Motivation, time, inspiration, illustrations, editing, etc. etc. etc. This does not include the finding of the publisher, sending out letters, etc. etc. etc.

I think all writers would agree that one needs to be prepared for the long haul. One needs to be dogmatic, aggressive, downright determined to finish the process! I suppose that is why writers hole up for months at a time and don't emerge till the product is finished. Hmmm, in real life that works for some but not for me. Too many other life committments to keep going including holding down a real job!

I think Rudy and Bub is a real good idea so I will keep on.

Just keeping you posted!

Words

Isn't it amazing that we have been given a gift in the form of words? This is the chosen vehicle with which we are able to communicate with one another. I'm glad that we don't communicate in the form of grunts or burps or laughter or something like that. Intelligent design - chose words. Words can be powerful. They have the ability to lift up or to destory. Who would have thought that something as small as a word,which could be as little as 4 letters, could hold such power.

I love words. Especially what I call "choice words." They sort of roll around the tongue and give pleasure to the hearer. "Words fitly spoken are like apples of gold in settings of silver," says the proverbs. Now, how many of you enjoy a good speaker or a well written book? I delight in the usage of words which can set your imagination back into time or forward for that matter.

If we have been created with the ability to use "words" to communicate, how amazing that the Creator also communicates by the Word of His Power. There is one who is called, "The Word," whose "words" hold within them the ability to create... to change. These "words" are powerful. That power is, in truth a person, the person of the Holy Spirit. Now these are the words which I long to hear and receive into my being. These are the "choice words" of which I speak, building and fortifying the inner sanctum, which enable and keep the heart and mind. Choice words....

The scripture says, "By the Word, the worlds were framed together." It also says, that He said, "Let there be light, and there was light." However, His word is "living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

That is awesome in a kind of fearful way. His Words - we have to consider His words. Being the author of all words how can we ignore them? Everyone speaks of education and how it is so important. Well, here is an educated word - "today, is the day of salvation!" Another one goes like this, "there is only one name under heaven by which men may be saved."

So next time you think about words consider these ...He has gifted us with a way to communicate with Himself and He most definitely will have the last Word!

Communication is a Journey

What is it inside authors that makes them sit for months on end living inside their thoughts putting pen to paper? Because they love to communicate? Because they are full of words which are bubbling up and longing to be poured out? Maybe its because they are full of a cause or are angered by a situation and need to vent. Whatever the reason, writing is a challenge. Communication has always been my challenge. I was born into a family who didn't communicate well and I had no idea how to even evaluate my thoughts. I didn't even know what I thought! Just like the chicken inside the egg pecking to escape its confines, so has my journey to communicate been. The mind and heart have always longed to grow, to contemplate, to express - to communicate. But how? Something happened in my life which uncorked the bottle and opened up my entire being. My life did a 180 degree turn. I went from a shy, closed up, shrivelled brain dead person to someone with a brain and a heart and a thirst to learn. Does it sound like the Scarecrow and the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz? No, not quite. Honestly, Someone came into my life - actually love came into my life. That's what they always say about love isn't it? But this is different - God came into my life and everything changed. There is a scripture which says "he will take the heart of stone out of you and give you a heart of flesh". This is what happened. He took the cold, lifeless, stony, sin encumbered heart and gave me a brand new clean heart. He breathed life into me. I became a new being and with it my mind and heart suddenly opened and the journey to communicate began.