Helping the Thief

The other day I was reading Psalms 50:16-18a when I stopped short, feeling as if I’d been hit right between the eyes. Before I tell you why, I should confess a shortcoming. Occasionally, because I’m reading my Bible, praying, and not committing any heinous sins, I start feeling content in my own “righteousness.” As you know, a self-righteous person can be a real pain in the neck. Usually, a Scripture checks this type of irritating attitude before it gets out of control in my life. And that’s what happened the other day when I read Psalms 50:16-18a.

“But God says to evil men: Recite my laws no longer and stop claiming my promises, for you have refused my discipline, disregarding my laws. . .”

At this point of my Bible reading, my self-righteous attitude kicked in. Almost without realizing it, I smiled smugly and mentally patted myself on the back for not being evil or disregarding God’s laws. I had just pictured myself as God’s “shining, over-achieving child” when I read the first part of verse 18.

“You see a thief and help him.”

Suddenly, I felt as if I’d been struck by a bolt of lightning. Staring at the verse, I felt a wave of conviction from the Lord. Naturally—being me—I fought against the guilty feeling. Looking up at the ceiling, I protested loudly, “What are you talking about, Lord? Why am I feeling guilty? I’ve never helped a thief steal someone’s television set! As far as I know, I’ve never even met a thief!”

Instantly, John 10:10 came to mind: “The thief [the devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Immediately after I remembered the verse, I felt God speak deep down in my spirit. His voice wasn’t audible, but it was powerful. God simply said, “The devil has been stealing from you, and you have been helping him.”

Leaning back in my chair, I gazed up at the ceiling. I felt stunned. Reviewing the last several weeks in my mind, I narrowed my eyes. I had been experiencing some difficulties, and when I prayed about them, I felt God’s peace assuring me that everything would be okay. But regardless of God’s assurances, I had been worrying about my circumstances. I had been running scenarios in my mind, trying to anticipate possible problems. I hadn’t been sleeping well, and I’d been spending my days feeling worried and tense.

God’s gentle voice said, “You’ve been helping the thief steal your peace.”

Feeling ashamed, I had to admit it was true. Again my mind flashed back over the last several weeks. I realized that I’d allowed resentment toward an individual creep into my thinking. Although I knew bitterness was wrong, I’d been harboring hurt feelings.

God spoke, “You’ve been helping the thief destroy your relationship and steal your joy.”

Hiding my face in my hands, I whispered, “I’m sorry, God. I know you’re right. I’ve been helping the thief steal from me. What do I do now?”

At this point, I expected God to give some wonderful piece of advice. I expected to be directed to another Scripture verse. I expected—well, I’m not exactly sure what I expected, but I certainly didn’t expect what He said next.

God simply said, “Snap out of it, and stop it.”

Sitting there with a stunned expression on my face, I had to laugh. “Snap out of it, and stop it,” may not have been exactly what I was expecting to hear, but I had to admit that it resonated.

Standing to my feet, I nodded. From that moment on, I resolved not to allow the thief to steal my peace. The next time I started worrying about things I knew God had under control, I decided that I would give myself a mental shake and sing a hymn. And the next time I was tempted to feel angry and resentful, I decided that I would sit down and write ten things that I appreciated about the person who had offended me.

A wise person once said that the best way to fight the devil is to do the opposite of what the devil wants you to do, and to do it with gusto. I think that advice goes hand-in-hand with what I felt God telling me to do. When the devil comes in the form of a sneaky thief, rather than blindly helping him steal—snap out of it, and stop it!

Asking Again: Is God Really Real?

Dear Friends, for those of you who don’t know, I’ve been very ill again. For several months, I haven’t been well enough to write. Many of you have contacted me, telling me that you’re missing my blog articles. Your lovely messages have meant so much! I’m so glad that you’ve been enjoying my writing. I want to thank everyone who is praying for my recovery. I have felt surrounded by love. I’m feeling better, and hopefully, things will be back to normal soon. It may be a while until I can maintain a regular writing schedule, but in the meantime, please feel free to visit my old articles. You can access them by clicking on “Article Index” and then clicking on “Index of Articles.”

Lately, several people have asked about my article concerning the birds, so I’ve decided to republish it. “Is God Really Real” was first published on October 8, 2015. It went around the world in an amazing way–I’ve been astounded by the number of nations it’s reached. It’s an article that’s close to my heart, and I hope you enjoy it. May God richly bless each one of you–now and always!

* * *

Is God Really Real?

I’d been a Christian my whole life—I’d even taught Sunday School and preached in nursing homes, so when this question rocked my world, it came as a complete surprise. I’d never expected to question God’s existence, but after suffering from a lingering, painful illness, this question could no longer be ignored. Was God really real?

I suppose the root of my doubts stemmed from the deep sense of betrayal that I felt toward God. I had served the Lord faithfully, and in return I’d almost died. And if that wasn’t bad enough, I was in near constant pain. If God was real, why hadn’t He delivered me from my illness? Where was He when I needed Him the most?

After a while, my questions spiraled in on themselves until my life felt like a big black hole of misery. I knew I should have more faith, but it’s hard to be “spiritual” when your hair is falling out and your teeth are all loose. It’s hard to sing songs of praise when every movement causes horrible pain. Anger became my status quo, and I turned that anger toward God.

By the time the question of God’s existence fully formed in my mind, I was actually hoping that God wasn’t real. After all, if God was just a myth and all of the beautiful church services I had experienced were just examples of mass hysteria and delusion, then I wouldn’t have to worry about anything. I could be mad. I could die in anger. My suffering would be over. But if God was real, then I would have to deal with my anger and try to reconcile the fact that the God I had loved had let me suffer—and that seemed just too hard to do.

Eventually, after months of struggling with the question of God’s existence, I walked up to the secluded lake behind my house. My body was so wracked with pain that each step was agony. I thought about turning back, but staying inside the four walls of my bedroom was driving me insane—I had to get out. Gritting my teeth, I struggled up the dusty path, dragging my feet, willing my body to move. I remembered how I used to run up that very same path, secure in the knowledge that life was a marvelous gift and that God was good. My lips twisted in bitterness. I was so angry that I felt bile rising in my throat. How things had changed.

When I finally made it to the lake’s shore, I collapsed on the grass and looked out over the water. Was God really real? Even as the familiar query formed in my mind, I tried to shove it away. But as I rubbed a muscle knot in my leg, I knew it was time to face the question. Sitting on the fence was making me miserable. I needed to decide what I believed.

The knot in my leg grew worse. As I tried to breathe through the pain, something flew past my face. I lurched back and blinked in shock as another tiny bird flew past my ear. All around me, birds began swooping and speeding past me as quickly as lightning bolts. As I watched, they darted over the water chasing gnats and then swung past me in a lovely arc. The sight was exhilarating. I couldn’t believe how fast they were flying. They were coming within inches of my face—it was almost like they were demanding my attention…

I blinked a little. Turning away from the birds, I looked down at the grass below me. Each strand was radiant with different shades of color. I picked a blade and looked at it closely. It was lovely. I wondered why I had never noticed that before. Looking out over the water, I saw the sunlight being reflected in shimmering diamonds. I gazed up at the puffy clouds floating in the deep blue sky. Beauty was all around me. I paused. How could such beauty form out of random blind luck? Didn’t there have to be a design? And if a design—then a Designer?

As my leg cramped again, I rubbed it absently, ignoring the pain and concentrating on the beauty of the lake. Was God really real? If I decided that He was, it wouldn’t be a decision based out of dewy-eyed naiveté. I knew life wasn’t always fair. I knew bad things happened. And I knew that sometimes God allowed bad things to happen. If I decided to believe in Him again, I would have to deal with my anger and disappointment. I would have to choose to serve a God that I didn’t fully understand in light of a painful illness that I couldn’t ignore.

Was God really real? Even as the question formed in my mind, I sensed a waiting. An almost hushed atmosphere fell on the lake. The sparrows stopped circling. Things became quiet.

Looking down at the blade of grass in my hand, I said softly, “Yes. God is real.”

 

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” Psalm 19:1-3

Susan Karsten–Author Interview

Dear Friends, I’m honored to have Susan Karsten on my blog today! Susan is an incredibly kind person, and she is also very talented. Her debut novel, A Match for Melissa, was published earlier this year. I know that this has been an exciting time for Susan, and I’m honored to share in her joy by interviewing her!

Danele: Hello, Susan! I’m so glad to have a chance to talk with you today!

Susan: I am excited to be on your blog, Danele, as I have always enjoyed your posts. It is a delight to be the subject of one.

Danele: It’s wonderful having you! I can’t wait to hear about your debut novel, but first, I’d like my readers to get to know you. Can you tell us what your favorite Bible verse is and why?

Susan: One of my favorite verses is Job 13:15, which says, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” This verse reminds me that our lives here aren’t always sunshine and lollipops, but He (God) doesn’t change. He is the same worthy God as He was in the good times. Our circumstances may change, but His love endures forever.

Danele: I love that verse too, Susan. It’s good to remember that when our life is hard, that doesn’t mean God has abandoned us. I had to come to terms with that fact when I became ill. I don’t understand why bad things happen, but I do know that God’s love doesn’t change. Here’s another question for you—which Bible story is your favorite?

Susan: The hope-filled story of the prodigal son is one of my favorites. It shows that God can draw His children back from the depths of sin and welcome us with open arms.

Danele: That’s a beautiful parable! I love the part where the father runs eagerly to his repentant child. It paints such a lovely picture of God’s forgiveness. On another subject, can you tell us why you think it’s important to go to church?

Susan: The importance of the church can sometimes be neglected, but the theology of the church is fascinating and proves that the church is a miracle here on earth for us to enjoy. The church is called Christ’s body, and out of gratitude, we are to be members of a faithful church.

Danele: Some of my favorite memories have been associated with church gatherings. I love the beautiful moment when a congregation lifts up their collective voices and sings praises to the Lord. It’s so moving. When I was in quarantine, I really missed attending services. I never realized the privilege church attendance was until my health stripped that privilege away. Susan, what’s your advice to new Christians?

Susan: My first advice is to find and join a faithful, Biblical church, one that preaches the Gospel every Sunday. Next, I would re-assure them that God is faithful and will not let them fall from His loving hand.

Danele: That’s good advice for new Christians as well as old ones! Here’s another question for you—how has being a Christian influenced your writing?

Susan: My faith has influenced my writing in that I work very hard to do my best, as unto the Lord. When matters that touch on theology arise in my characters’ lives, I try to portray our relationship to God with accuracy.

Danele: I love the idea of writing unto the Lord—I try to do that too. And I agree that it’s very important to get matters of theology right in our stories. Speaking of stories, can you give us details about your new book series?

Susan: Of course! My books will be called The Honor’s Point Series. The first book in the series, A Match for Melissa, was released earlier this year. It will be followed by book #2, A Refuge for Rosanna, and book #3, An Escape for Ellie (books #2 & #3 are contracted with Prism Book Group, but their release date hasn’t been announced as of yet.)

Danele: I’m so excited for you, Susan! Congratulations! Can you please tell us more about A Match for Melissa?

Susan: A Match for Melissa is a Regency Historical Romance. I am a big fan of this genre, because I find the world of early 19th century England to be a fascinating era, and because the genre is usually morally clean, with marriage the prized goal of the romance. Because I had read hundreds of book in this genre, I decided to try my hand at writing a Regency Romance. I enjoyed adding the faith element to the fictional romance between Melissa and …! I don’t want to spoil the fun for the readers by naming the man who wins her heart. Within the pages of A Match for Melissa, two men vie to marry her.

Danele: Your book sounds like fun! Can you please give us A Match for Melissa’s back cover blurb and purchasing link?

Susan: Melissa Southwood’s wealthy merchant father desires her to marry into the aristocracy, and he arranges for Lord Peter Winstead to court her. Melissa submits to the plan, but retains the right of final refusal. Lord Mark Russell, who learns of her fine qualities from some mutual friends, also belatedly throws his hat into the ring. Which handsome, titled nobleman will win her heart?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Match-Melissa-Honors-Point-Book-ebook/dp/B071JWQRX4

Danele: Susan, it’s been wonderful talking with you! I wish you all the best with your new book!

Susan: It’s been a real pleasure to be a guest of your blog, Danele. I hope many of your readers will read and enjoy A Match for Melissa.

 

Friends, Susan is such a terrific person. She has a kind, tender heart, and she tries her best to honor the Lord. If you would like to learn more about Susan, please follow the links below. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Susan’s Facebook Author’s Page: https://www.facebook.com/puresparklingromance/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

Susan’s Website: graciouswoman.wordpress.com

 

Gay N. Lewis #2–Author Interview

Hello, everyone! I hope that you’ve been having a great summer. Many of you have sent lovely messages asking about my blog and telling me that you miss it. Your messages have meant so much to me! I apologize for being absent, but for those who don’t know, I’ve been very ill and I haven’t felt well enough to write. That being said, I want to thank everyone who has been surrounding me with prayer. I’m feeling better, and hopefully, things will be back to normal soon. It may be a while until I can maintain a regular writing schedule, but in the meantime, please feel free to visit my old articles. You can access them by clicking on “Article Index” and then clicking on “Index of Articles.”

I’m writing today for a very special reason. Months ago, before I fell ill, I scheduled interviews with Gay N. Lewis and Susan Karsten. Gay and Susan are lovely Christian authors and sweet friends of mine. Gay’s interview is posting today, and Susan’s interview will post on Monday. Even though I’m still a bit under the weather, I wanted to make sure to introduce you to these terrific ladies.

Today, it’s my honor and privilege to welcome Gay N. Lewis back to my blog! Gay is an incredible Christian woman. She is genuinely nice, and she also has a delightful sense of humor.

Danele: Gay, I’m so glad to talk with you today!

Gay: Thanks, Danele, I’ve enjoyed your time travel books.

Danele: That’s so nice of you to say! I’ve really enjoyed reading your Sarah books as well. Sarah’s antics always make me laugh.

Gay: We both write fantasy, but I think writing about a dyslexic angel is far easier than writing about characters that time travel. I research for Sarah, my angel, but I can’t imagine the amount of research it takes for your books. You do a great job remembering who is who and who did what in each time zone. Whew!

Danele: What a lovely compliment! I have to admit that I really enjoy orchestrating my characters’ travels through time. You should see my desk—it’s covered in charts to keep me organized. I think the best part about writing is that we can have a blast doing something we love. I can tell that you love your character, Sarah. She’s lots of fun!

Gay: My little Sarah wants to wear red stilettos but falls down each time she does. She often uses human disguises or shrinks to miniscule. No matter her size or appearance, she creates a catastrophe however she emerges. I enjoy making readers laugh at Sarah’s antics.

Danele: You definitely succeed in making your readers chuckle! Sarah always makes me smile. Speaking of your Sarah books, can you give us a list of your titles?

Gay: I have 14 books listed on Amazon and other online booksellers. They are available in eBook. Many are also available in print and audio. They’re all Christian and faith inspired. All my Sarah books are squeaky clean. So is my latest, Mattie’s Choice. Rather than list them all with blurbs, let me invite you to my Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Gay-N-Lewis/e/B00AAVJ4G0/ref

Danele: That’s perfect, Gay! Speaking of your books, one of the things that I enjoy about your Sarah stories are the little glimpses of heaven that you give. What’s the first thing you want to do when you get to heaven?

Gay: Thank Jesus for coming and dying for all of us, especially me. I find His act indescribable and can’t imagine why He would do such a thing for me. Others? Yes. But I know who I am.

Danele: What a lovely answer—God’s grace toward us is so amazing! After you thank Jesus, what’s the first question that you’d like to ask God when you get to heaven?

Gay: Why do you love all of us so much? Your great mercy and love makes no sense when we consider our humanity and Your Deity.

Danele: That’s so true! God’s love is mind-blowing. Whenever I feel upset and tempted to doubt God, all I have to do is pause and think about His love. There have been times when I’ve felt the love of God in such a powerful way that it’s literally a tangible thing. God isn’t just a nice idea—He’s a powerful, living force—and the idea that someone like God actually loves us, and wants to be involved in our lives, is absolutely amazing! Now, Gay, here’s another question for you. If you could be a Bible character, which one would you choose to be?

Gay: Lazarus. I’d like to ask him what he did in heaven and how it felt to come back to life. We all want to know more about eternity, and if I’d been him, I’d have shouted heaven’s virtues on every dusty street corner.

Danele: Lazarus’s miracle was awesome! Now, let’s put a different spin on things—if you could be a Bible character, which one would you NOT choose to be?

Gay: Moses. I’d hate to put up with whining, complaining people for 40 years. Dealing with a few in my life for a matter of weeks drives me crazy. I’ve got a few relatives that are negative, rude and they daily cause me grief. I can’t imagine 40 years of nagging. And just think—there were between two and three million of those complainers! My hat is off to Moses.

Danele: Oh, Gay! You just made me laugh!!! Moses really was patient, wasn’t he? Here’s another question for you: how has being a Christian influenced your writing?

Gay: I’ve been a Christian since I was about six years old and I surrendered for special service when I was eight. I thought I’d be a missionary, so I studied Spanish in school. I’m not sure why I chose Spanish. I really thought the Lord would send me to Africa. So why would I need Spanish? Ha! I have no idea what languages are spoken in Africa. The plans we make. Right? God had other ideas. He arranged for me marry a preacher. I’ve spent my life in Texas, well, except for that one year in Oklahoma. I’ve always wanted to serve and I’ve done a bit of everything. Teach. Write. Sing. Play keyboard. Rock babies. Clean church toilets. Name it and I’ve probably done it.  Writing is one of my favorite things to do. I don’t preach in my books. I use humor to tell a story and express teaching points.

Danele: Do you have a piece of advice for new Christians?

Gay: Yes! Hang in there. Life may get harder for you instead of easier. Satan wants to draw you away from your new commitment.

Danele: I think that’s a wonderful piece of advice for all Christians—not just the new ones. Personally, this summer has been extremely difficult for me—I’ve been very ill. And I know that this summer has been difficult for many people around our nation and the world. There have been floods, hurricanes, fires, tornados, and earthquakes. It seems that every time I turn on the news, I hear that another group of people is facing a serious problem. When we are in the middle of a trial, sometimes, it seems as if it would be easier to give up rather than keep going, but really, giving up isn’t an option. Hanging in there with Jesus is what we’ve gotta do!

Gay: That’s true.

Danele: Now, Gay, I know that this is an exciting time for you! Your latest book, Mattie’s Choice, is being released tomorrow, September 15, 2017.

Gay: Yes, and although it won’t be released until tomorrow, Mattie’s Choice is currently available for pre-order through Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075GFSXCS/

Danele: That’s wonderful! Can you tell us a little bit about your story?

Gay: My latest book, Mattie’s Choice, is a departure from my Sarah Series. Sarah is filled with humor. She’s such a klutz, but Mattie’s Choice is a bit more serious, although there is humor mixed in. It’s a historical novel set in 1925 and the saga continues to the war years. There’s an epilogue in 1975.

Danele: That sounds really interesting—please, tell us more.

Gay: The premise for Mattie’s Choice concerns choices, the way we interpret Scripture, right or wrong, and the choices we make based on what we perceive the Bible to say. The choices we make have a ripple effect on the lives of others. I wrote this book to help abused women realize they have choices. Mattie Colby didn’t have many choices in 1925, but more exist today. Mattie believed her husband’s behavior was her fault. Women today often feel the same way. I’ve heard more than one say, “If I could only be a better wife, he’d love me more and he’d be kind.”

Danele: Abuse is such a terrible problem. How did you come up with the idea for Mattie’s Choice?

Gay: Mattie’s Choice is based on a few family experiences. My mother-in-law was married to a controlling man. He refused to allow her to see her family—even her twin brother.  One of my daughters married a man who physically attacked her. Talk about a shocker. That one was. I have a niece who also married a nutcase. This guy forced her to sit on the toilet all night long and read Scripture. He watched her through the night to make sure she didn’t fall asleep.

Danele: That’s awful! I’m so sorry that the women in your family went through such horrible things!

Gay: Weirdos are out there. What choices can women make to change an ungodly situation? I hope this book will help them realize God has better plans for them.  There weren’t many resources in 1925 to help abused women, but they exist today, and I hope women will search for them.

Danele: That’s lovely, Gay. I hope that Mattie’s Choice helps many people! I want to thank you for being with us today. I really enjoyed talking with you!

Gay: I’m happy we had a chance to visit.  Thanks for inviting me. I loved it.

 

Friends, Gay is such a wonderful person! If you would like to learn more about her, or her books, please follow the links below. I hope you have a terrific day!

http://www.gaynlewis.blogspot.com

https://www.amazon.com/author/gaynlewis

www.facebook.com/GayNLewis and also on Twitter @GayNLewis2.

Love Expressed Spider-Style

I have two older sisters, Darla and Donita. I love them both very much. My stylish sister, Darla, taught me how to wear makeup and put on nylons without destroying them (not an easy task). And my adventurous sister, Donita, taught me how to skip rocks and make alfalfa flowers stick out their tongues. My sisters balanced each other out. Darla could cook gourmet meals at the drop of a hat, and Donita could skateboard and throw a baseball like a dream.

Although both of my sisters taught me many things, Donita taught me perhaps one of the most important lessons of all. She taught me the definition of love expressed spider-style. You see, when we were growing up, although Donita was incredibly brave, there was one thing that struck fear into her heart—spiders. Even an itty-bitty spider was enough to scare her to pieces. If Donita saw a spider on the wall—and someone wasn’t around to kill it for her—she would squash it with a wad of Kleenex roughly the size of basketball (anything smaller than a HUGE wad of tissue would risk accidental flesh/arachnid contact causing the earth to fall into the sea).

Being the sweet, angelic, supportive little sister that you know I was, I would take particular glee in pointing out spiders to Donita and then giggling like crazy as she attempted to squash them. I would cheer her on enthusiastically while pointing out helpful details like how creepy the wiggly legs were, and how HUGE the ghastly spider was, and how gooshy the guts were going to be when she finally managed to squish it. It’s funny, but Donita didn’t seem to appreciate my support at all. Regardless, I also enjoyed taking the newspaper out of the box, squealing, and tossing it Donita’s direction while shouting, “Spider!” Since spiders tended to live in our newspaper box, a proclamation like that ALWAYS got a reaction. I took great joy in seeing my brave older sister screeching and jumping sideways to get out of the way. Truthfully, I was a pest…but Donita loved me anyway, and one memorable day, she proved it.

It was a cold, crisp autumn day when Dad told Donita and me that he wanted us to help sort some cattle. Time with Dad was special, so I immediately ran to the garage and took a hooded jacket off a nail. I was zipping the jacket up when Donita came into the garage. When she saw me, she froze. Her eyes became as huge as saucers. Her face turned white. Making a strangled sound in her throat, she lunged at me, grabbed something off my chest, threw it to the floor, and then stomped on it.

I felt shocked. I wasn’t sure what had just happened, but from the look on Donita’s face, it was something awful.

“What’s going on?” I demanded.

Donita didn’t say a word—she just pointed at the floor. A dead spider was curled up on the cement. It was a horrible wolf spider that would’ve been about the size of a half dollar when it was alive.

Donita’s voice shook. “It was crawling up your jacket toward your face. I couldn’t let it stay on you. I just couldn’t!”

Suddenly, I realized that Donita—with all her fear of spiders—had just grabbed a huge spider off my jacket with her bare hands and killed it for me. Donita had shown me an example of true love—and it was one that I never forgot.

Some people think about bunnies and eggs around Easter, but I think about spiders. In fact, I think a lot about Donita and the spider around this time of year. You see, Jesus hated sin just as much as Donita hated spiders. And yet, just like Donita grabbed that spider with her bare hands, Christ dealt with my sin by dying on the cross in my place.

What is the definition of true love? I think true love shows itself when someone is willing to put aside their own comfort and help in spite of the discomfort it brings them. Donita showed me an example of true love when she grabbed that spider, and Christ showed me an example of true love when He died on the cross to save me from my sin. I think true love is selflessness in action—and I think selflessness is the definition of Easter. Love when it is expressed “spider-style” is such a beautiful thing.

 

“Jesus Christ, who, though He was God, did not demand and cling to His rights as God, but laid aside His mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. And He humbled Himself even further, going to far as actually to die a criminal’s death on a cross.” –Philippians 2:6-8

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” –Romans 5:8

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:38-39

 

Directionally Challenged

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I’m a klutz. Unfortunately, I have to confess that I’m also directionally challenged. When someone tells me to turn right, I’m totally confused. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to figure out which way is left and which way is right. When told to turn left, I usually end up looking like a bobble head doll with a bouncing head as I simultaneously try to look in both directions at once. Naturally, this shortcoming gave me lots of problems when I was learning how to drive.

When I received my learner’s permit, my father got around my directionally challenged brain by telling me to “turn at that tree” or “turn at that barn.” But the day of my driving test, I knew I was in trouble. When my father let me drive around town for some final practice before test, I was in a nervous tizzy. And when we were in the church parking lot practicing parking, I finally voiced my fears.

“Daddy,” I wailed in rising panic, “I’m never going to pass if the examiner asks me to turn left or right. I’ll go the wrong way, I know I will!”

Suddenly, I heard my father chuckle. Without saying a word, he grabbed my hand and kissed it. I stared at him in surprise.

Dad smiled. “Just remember that I kissed you, and it’ll be okay.”

“How so?” I asked.

“When you’re taking your test, picture me sitting RIGHT beside you instead of the examiner. Picture me being RIGHT here. Can you do that?”

Still feeling confused, I nodded. “But how’s that gonna help me with directions?”

“Easy,” Dad said. “Which hand did I kiss?”

“This one,” I replied, waving it at him.

He nodded. “Could I have kissed your other hand while sitting RIGHT beside you?”

I shook my head. “Not without climbing over the steering wheel.”

He laughed. “The hand I kissed is your RIGHT one. And I’m RIGHT beside you. If you’re told to turn right, just turn in my direction. Turn in the direction of love.”

Thanks to Dad’s advice—and his kiss on my hand—I passed my driving test. And down through the years, I’ve cherished his advice to turn in the direction of love. You see, I’ve realized that Dad’s advice could’ve been echoed from the mouth of God. Whenever I’m faced with a puzzling decision, I always try to remember that God is RIGHT beside me. I try to always remember to turn in the direction that makes me feel God’s love and peace. Turning in the direction of love—I think that’s lovely advice.

 

“God grants good sense to the godly—His saints. He is their shield, protecting them and guarding their pathway. He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time.” Proverbs 2:7-9

 

Amoebas and Big Boots

When I was in fifth grade, I had a truly wonderful science teacher. I thought she was AWESOME. One day, my science teacher taught us about amoebas. She told us that they lived in ponds, streams, and lakes. She mentioned that if any of us could get a jar of lake water, and if there was an amoeba in the water, we could look at it beneath a microscope. I was so excited! I lived on a farm, and I had access to that type of water. Quickly, I raised my hand and volunteered. As my teacher and my classmates smiled at me, I felt like a celebrity.

On the bus ride home, I made my plans. I thought the best place to catch amoebas would be the back pasture of my family’s farm. Overflow from my father’s irrigation lake was slowly flowing through part of the pasture, and the lazy stream was full of moss and algae. It seemed like an amoeba paradise.

Being a confident fifth-grader, I didn’t tell my mother what I was doing. After all, I was practically grown up, and I thought that amoeba catching was a fairly harmless pastime. I didn’t think I needed Mom’s help or advice. Sneaking out of the house, I collected a canning jar from the shed. And feeling very smart, I tucked my father’s rubber overshoes under my arm.

My walk to the pasture was beautiful. Birds were singing and butterflies were flying. But my jaunt took a different turn when I finally reached the sluggish stream. My nose twitched at the dank, mucky smell. The stench of the water wasn’t exactly pleasant. Looking down at the murky depths, I could see all kinds of bugs swimming beneath the surface. In spite of the stench, I knew I’d hit gold.

Although I could stand on the bank to collect my sample, for some reason, I decided that the best amoebas would be in the center of the stream. Tugging on my father’s overshoes, I wadded into the water. Dad’s overshoes were about a gazillion sizes too big, and they kept trying to fall off my feet. The bottom of the stream was mucky, and the mud kept trapping my boots. Being stubborn, I kept going. After several instances of stumbling, whirling my arms like a windmill, and catching my balance, I thought about stopping. But I decided that my teacher and my classmates were worth some extra effort. Tenaciously, I made my awkward way to the middle of the stream.

When I arrived, I looked down at the water. Plodding around had disturbed the muck, and the water was murky. I frowned. I was afraid that the amoebas had skittered away because of the mud. Patiently, I stood still, waiting until the mud settled and the water was clear again. I’m not sure how long I stood with my hands on my knees, anxiously peering down at the water, but it was quite a while. Finally, when all the muck was settled, I held my breath and filled my jar with water. I felt a rush of triumph as I screwed on the lid. I had done my best, and I knew it!

Smiling widely, I decided to walk toward the shore, but when I tried lifting my foot, it wouldn’t budge. I was horrified! Looking down, I realized that my boots had sunk in the mud while I was waiting for the water to clear. My boot tops were now only a few inches above the stinky waterline. With all my might, I tried lifting my feet. My boots wouldn’t move. Bending over, I tugged on my boots with my hands. They still wouldn’t shift. Frozen in place, I tried thinking my way out of the silly situation. I hadn’t told my mother where I was going, so I couldn’t expect immediate help…

Suddenly, I felt my boots sinking deeper into the muck. Desperately, I made a violent lunge toward the shore. I felt sure that my momentum would free my boots, but it didn’t work that way. One foot popped out of its boot while my other foot held fast. I almost toppled into the water—only my extreme distaste for the stinking muck kept me on my feet. If Olympic judges had been watching my improvised twists and shimmies, they would have given me a 10.0 for flamboyant style!

Standing on one leg, and trying desperately not to get wet, I tugged at my empty boot.  After a momentous struggle, it finally came loose with a squelching, sucking sound. I could feel my captive, booted foot sinking further into the mud. Wiggling like mad to keep my balance, I tried to put the freed boot onto my freed foot…

I am not a gymnast, nor am I an acrobat. I’ve never claimed to be graceful or even reasonably coordinated. What happened next was inevitable. I ended up flat on my back in the mucky water. Few things are quite as stinky as stagnate pond water. And not many things are as gross as being immersed in it.  The only good thing about that incident is that I did come away with a jar of water.

The next day, I proudly presented the jar to my science class, and it did yield quite a few excellent amoebas. As my teacher praised me, I smiled shyly and said that gathering the water hadn’t been a problem at all…

Down through the years, my memory of amoeba catching has always made me chuckle. And believe it or not, I’ve found a correlation between my pond adventure and my current life. You see, when I was in fifth grade, I didn’t tell my mother where I was going because I didn’t want any advice. I thought I could do everything on my own. If Mom had been with me, she would’ve told me that a water sample from the edge of the stream would be just as good as one from the middle. She also would’ve told me that wearing big boots in a muddy area wasn’t exactly a brilliant idea. But I didn’t want advice, and I suffered the stinky, smelly consequences.

I find that sometimes I still don’t like asking for advice. And many times, when I go blindly on my way, I make stupid mistakes that could’ve been easily prevented. This holds true in my spiritual life as well. Sometimes, I don’t pray over my plans. I have lots of excuses for this lapse, but usually it boils down to three reasons:  I think I have everything figured out, or I think that the decision I’m making is small, or I’m feeling pressed for time. I’ve found that when I don’t pray over my plans, disaster is just around the corner. Usually, the small decisions that I don’t cover with prayer end up being more perilous than the big decisions that I commit to God.

Over the years, I’ve learned that asking advice from others—and especially, asking advice from God—isn’t a sign of weakness, but of strength. I’ve found that seeking advice is the one thing that can keep me from ending up on my back in the middle of a mucky stream desperately clutching a jar full of amoebas.

 

“A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.”  Proverbs 12:15

 

 

Time Search! Book Launch & 20-Stop Blog Tour!

MARCH 20th ANNOUNCEMENT: Congratulations LYS RINEHART! You are the GRAND PRIZE winner of the $25 Amazon gift card!

“Time Search’s” book launch and 20-Stop Blog Tour has been such a wonderful experience! I want to thank everyone who has supported me by reading and reviewing my books, sharing my posts, participating in “Time Search’s” blog tour, commenting on the tour’s articles, entering the contest, and spreading the word about my novels! I couldn’t have done this without you! I also want to thank my blog-tour hostesses–working with you has been fantastic!

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Dear Friends, I’m constantly amazed by the wonderful mercy of God! Years ago, when I was ill and in quarantine, I never would’ve believed that the stories I wrote to distract myself from pain would end up being published! But here I am, announcing the publication of my third book, Time Search! Time Search continues the adventures of the TEMCO team in The Time Counselor Chronicles. It was published on Friday, January 13, 2017 by Prism Book Group!

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20-STOP BLOG TOUR FOR TIME SEARCH!

I have wonderful news about Time Search’s book launch!! From January 13-March 14, 2017, information about Time Search will be featured in a 20-Stop Blog Tour! The blog articles will be found on different websites, and they will cover a variety of themes! Some of the blogs will include interviews of me which will span all sorts topics such as my love life, my writing journey, my most embarrassing moments, my favorite books, etc. Other articles will include a recipe exchange, imaginative interviews of my characters, reviews of Time Search, and opportunities to win books and a variety of prizes! NOTE: The giveaways have closed. The winners have been announced. 

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GRAND PRIZE ALERT! WOW! A $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD!!!

During each stop of the blog tour, I will include the phrase “DANELE’S MYSTERY WORD” in the body of the article or in the article’s comment section. If you find all 20 mystery words, you may enter a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card! NOTE: The giveaway has closed. The winner has been announced. 

GRAND PRIZE INSTRUCTIONS: On March 14-19, 2017, you may scroll down to the bottom of this article’s comment section. You will find a box that says, “Leave a reply.” In the reply box, please give me your name, e-mail address, and a list of the 20 mystery words you have found during the tour. (Don’t forget to press the “Post Comment” button.) Within 24 hours, you will find a congratulation message addressed to you in the comment section. This message will confirm that you’ve been entered into the drawing. The winner will be picked randomly from those who report the correct mystery words. The contest ends on March 19, 2017. The winner will be announced on March 20, 2017. NOTE: The giveaway has closed. The winner has been announced. 

NOTE: This article is PRIZE CENTRAL—please refer to it for updates about the blog tour and contest.   

* * *

ITINERARY FOR TIME SEARCH’S 20-STOP BLOG TOUR!!!      JANUARY 13–MARCH 14, 2017

GET READY FOR FUN AND A CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES!!!!

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BLOG STOP #1—Jan. 13, 2017 

Website: Living Our Faith Out Loud

Host: Lisa Lickel

Subject: Book Review—Read Lisa’s review of Time Search! 

Link: http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/2017/01/time-search-new-from-danele-rotharmel.html

1st Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #2—Jan. 14, 2017

Website: Chavel Books

Host: Carlene Havel

Subject: A discussion about the Cinderella aspect of Time Search! Plus a never-before-seen excerpt from the book! (It’s one of my favorite scenes!)

Link: http://chavelbooks.com/time-search-is-here/

2nd Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #3—Jan. 15, 2017

Website: Monthly Smiles

Host: Mary Ball

Subject: An article I’ve written about new beginnings and New Year’s resolutions. Plus information about all three of my books: Time Tsunami, Time Trap, and Time Search!

Link: http://www.marylball.com/blog-monthly-smiles/new-beginnings-by-author-danele-rotharmel

3rd Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #4—Jan. 18, 2017

Website: The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction

Host: Nancy Bolton

Subject: Author interview–a discussion about my writing process and how I deal with writer’s block, etc! In addition, an excerpt from “Time Search” will be shared!

PRIZE ALERT! An autographed paperback copy of Time Search is being offered! Visit Nancy’s article for details. NOTE: The paperback giveaway has closed. The winner has been announced. 

Link: https://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com/2017/01/interview-and-giveaway-with-author.html

4th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #5—Jan. 19, 2017

Website: Robinsnest212

Host: Robin Mason

Subject: Author interview–an in depth discussion about my personal and professional life. If you want to know who I am, this article will give you a good idea! Information about Time Search is also shared–including part of the first chapter!

PRIZE ALERT! A rose coffee cup prize package is being offered! Visit Robin’s article for details. NOTE: The rose coffee cup giveaway has closed. The winner has been announced.

Link: https://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/2017/01/19/blogwords-thursday-19-january-2017-chat-thursday-author-interview-danele-rotharmel/

5th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #6—Jan. 24, 2017

Website: Soulfully Romantic

Host: Toni Shiloh

Subject: Author interview–why I chose to write about time travel, what type of research I do, my favorite childhood book, my favorite author, and a discussion about the technical side of  “The Time Counselor Chronicles.”

Link: http://tonishiloh.weebly.com/blog/interview-with-danele-j-rotharmel

6th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #7—Jan. 27, 2017

Website: Truth to Shine

Host: Cherrilynn Bisbano

Subject: Author interview–what I love the most about being an author, why I didn’t tell anyone that I was writing for so many years, and discussion about what I hope my readers will take away from my books!

Link: http://truthtoshine.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-blogger-danele-j-rotharmels.html?spref=fb

7th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #8—Jan. 30, 2017

Website: Gay N. Lewis

Host: Gay Lewis

Subject: Author interview—information about my travels, what I do for fun, and a discussion about Crystal and Drake! Plus, I share a secret! Shhhhh!

Link: http://gaynlewis.blogspot.com/2017/01/time-travel-lets-go.html

8th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #9—Jan. 31, 2017

Website: Living Our Faith Out Loud

Host: Lisa Lickel

Subject: A character interview of Drake Procerus! Don’t miss what Time Search’s notorious villain has to say!

Link: http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/2017/01/meet-villainous-drake-from-time-search.html

9th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #10—Feb. 1, 2017

Website: Peering Through Life’s Window

Host: Gail Pallota

Subject: Author interview–insight into how a bad case of cabin fever led me to write Time Search, information about my character, Angelina Ableman, and a discussion about how faith influences my writing. In addition, I will be sharing a special Scripture verse and a recipe from my great-grandmother!

PRIZE ALERT! A lovely sunflower & butterfly prize package is being offered! Visit Gail’s article for details. NOTE: The sunflower & butterfly giveaway has closed. The winner has been announced.

Link: http://gailpallotta.blogspot.com/2017/02/looking-out-window-danele-rotharmel.html

10th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #11—Feb. 2, 2017

Website: Uncovering the Unthinkable

Host: Deborah Piccurelli

Subject: Author interview–a discussion about many things, including what I love about “Time Search,” why I write about time travel, why I have glossaries in my books, my struggle with amnesia, my history with Bible Quiz, and why I memorize Scripture. In this interview, I also share some fun trivia facts about my latest book!

PRIZE ALERT! A lovely pink & yellow rose prize package is being offered! Visit Deb’s article for details! NOTE: The pink & yellow rose giveaway has closed. The winner has been announced.

Link: http://www.deborahmpiccurelli.com/article_archive_02_01_17.php

11th Mystery Word = FORGIVENESS.

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BLOG STOP #12—Feb. 6, 2017

Website: Passing on a Godly Legacy

Host: Paula Mowery

Subject: Author interview–a discussion about several things including Crystal’s Cinderella moment, the theme of forgiveness in Time Search, and my idea of the perfect writing location.

Link: http://paulamowery.blogspot.com/2017/02/time-search-by-danele-rotharmel.html

12th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #13—Feb. 14, 2017

Website: Living Our Faith Out Loud

Host: Lisa Lickel

Subject: Character interview of Vice President Andrew Hamilton! Here’s your chance to gain insight into one of Time Search’s heroes. During this interview, Andrew describes his dream girl. Can Lisa Lickel steer him toward Angelina Ableman?

Link: http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/2017/02/meet-vp-hamilton-from-danele-rotharmels.html

13th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #14—Feb. 16, 2017

Website: Victoria Pitts-Caine

Host: Vicki Caine

Subject: Author interview–a discussion about the European travel aspect of Time Search and why I created Angelina Ableman! Vicki also shares information about Time Search.

Link: http://victoriapitts-caine.blogspot.com/2017/02/danele-rotharmeltime-search.html

14th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #15—Feb. 20-21, 2017

Website: Gracious Woman

Host: Susan Karsten

Subject: A two-part adventure! 1st post=Susan’s review of Time Search. 2nd post=Author interview–a discussion about many things, including my favorite books and authors, where I would go if I could time travel, my hobbies, and my favorite foods. Information about Time Search will also be given!

1st Link–Susan’s review of Time Search:  https://graciouswoman.wordpress.com/2017/02/20/time-search-by-danele-rothermel/

2nd Link–Interview conducted by Susan:   https://graciouswoman.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/an-interview-with-danele-rotharmel-author-of-the-time-counselor-chronicles-series/

15th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #16—Feb. 28, 2017

Website: The Tuesday Prude

Host: Anita Klumpers

Subject: Author interview–a discussion about many things, including my brush with death, where I would go if I could time travel, and my character Crystal Stuart! Anita will also give more information about Time Search!

Link: https://thetuesdayprude.com/2017/02/28/a-bakers-dozen-minus-one-questions-for-danele/

16th Mystery Word: Revealed!

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BLOG STOP #17—March 3, 2017

Website: Almost an Author

Subject: In this article, I discuss my writing journey and give tips for new authors!

Link: http://www.almostanauthor.com/write-enjoyment-danele-j-rotharmel/

17th Mystery Word = ACTION.

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BLOG STOP #18—March 7, 2017

Website: Author Brooke Williams

Host: Brooke Williams

Subject: Author interview–a discussion about the clues and puzzles contained in my books and information about Time Search!

Link: http://www.authorbrookewilliams.com/blog/time-searchreviewdetailsguest-post-and-more

18th Mystery Word: Revealed!

* * * 

BLOG STOP #19—March 10, 2017

Website: Sharon McGregor

Host: Sharon McGregor

Subject: Author interview–a discussion about many things, including my struggle with amnesia and writer’s block, my characters, and the future of my book series. An excerpt from “Time Search” is also included!

Link: http://www.sharonmcgregor.com/blog/time-search

19th Mystery Word = PHOEBE.

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BLOG STOP #20—March 14, 2017

Website: Living Our Faith Out Loud

Host: Lisa Lickel

Subject: Get ready for a funny interview with Crystal Stuart! Character interviews are such a blast. Learn what Crystal thinks about Marc and Drake, and get updates about the TEMCO team!

Link: http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/2017/03/welcome-back-crystal-from-time.html?spref=fb

20th Mystery Word: Revealed!

* * *

SPECIAL BLOG TOUR NOTE: From January 13-March 20, information about Time Search’s blog tour and the grand prize will be continually updated in this article. Check back here for the latest news and updates!!!

MARCH 20th ANNOUNCEMENT: The giveaway has closed. The winner has been announced. 

* * *

BONUS STOPS: Mystery words will not be given at the following stops–they are simply for your reading pleasure. They contain additional interviews, lovely reviews, and other fun information!

BONUS STOP #1: A Baker’s Perspective / Jessica Baker  https://abakersperspective.wordpress.com/2017/02/25/time-search-review-and-author-interview/

BONUS STOP #2: Blogging with Carol / Carol E. Keen http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/2017/02/time-search-by-danele-rotharmel-book-3.html

BONUS STOP #3: The World Can Wait / Clare Revell                              Time Tsunami http://telscha.blogspot.com/2017/02/time-tsunamithe-time-counselor.html?spref=fb

BONUS STOP #4: The World Can Wait / Clare Revell                              Time Trap http://telscha.blogspot.com/2017/02/time-trapthe-time-counselor-chronicles.html

BONUS STOP #5: The World Can Wait / Clare Revell                              Time Search http://telscha.blogspot.com/2017/03/time-searchthe-time-counselor.html

BONUS STOP #6: Diana’s Tea Time Reviews / Diana Montgomery  http://dianasbookit.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-time-counselor-chronicles-series-by.html?spref=fb

BONUS STOP #7: A Reader’s Brain / Katie Fowler  http://areadersbrain.blogspot.com/2017/04/time-search-by-danele-rotharmel.html

BONUS STOP #8: Petra’s Pen / Petra Creasy Creasy  http://www.petraspen.com/been-reading/

* * *

WHO IS DANELE ROTHARMEL???

For those of you who are just discovering my books and my blog, please allow me to introduce myself! I’m Danele Rotharmel, and I’m the author of The Time Counselor Chronicles. Writing my books was an act of pure joy, and I hope my readers enjoy them just as much as I do. If you would like to learn more about me, please feel free to follow these links!

My Testimony

A Description of My Writing Journey

Crocus in the Snow–An Article Close to My Heart

Information About My Books

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WHAT IS DRAGONFLYDANELE???

I began my blog, dragonflydanele.wordpress.com as a way to express the spiritual lessons I’ve learned down through the years—especially the lessons I learned during my illness and quarantine. I usually post a new blog article every Thursday morning. If you would like to learn more about what my blog means to me, or how it is reaching the nations, please follow this link: When Dreams Delay.

As a special treat, here are links to some of my most popular blog articles! I hope you enjoy!

Is God Really Real?

Embrace the Chaos

Lost But Not Lost

Fairy Wings and Forgiveness

Does Jesus Really Matter?

Stars and Yard Lights

Destroyed by Friendly Fire

The Kind Word

Things Aren’t Always What They Seem

The Devil Made Me Do It!

Locket Greedy

The Dragonfly

The Murky Ditch and Fear!!!

NOTE: If you would like to read more of my articles, please feel free to visit my Article Index.

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TIME SEARCH’S BACK COVER BLURB:

In the wake of a recent wave of violence, TEMCO employees are left reeling. While some of the staff are put into hiding, others are left behind to discover the true identity of the mysterious nemesis who is determined to destroy them all. While Crystal, Marc, and Zeke search for clues to unravel the mystery of his real name, their enemy is lurking in the shadows searching for TEMCO’s missing leaders. It’s a race against the clock! And as the hours and seconds tick away, it’s anyone’s guess whose search will be completed first. It’s a classic battle of good versus evil, and the stakes couldn’t be higher!

* * *

EXCERPT FROM TIME SEARCH:

Taking a deep breath, Crystal entered Drake’s apartment with Marc and Agent Ruthford. Her mind kept flashing back to that horrible moment when she’d regained consciousness and realized she was locked inside a burning building.

“We’ve already searched the premises,” Agent Ruthford said, walking to the center of the room. “We didn’t find anything.”

Attempting to forget that Drake had tried to burn her alive, Crystal replied, “We’re searching for different things. I’m sure Drake left us clues to his identity. With his ego, he would’ve thought it amusing.”

Studying her surroundings, she shuddered. Although at first glance, Drake’s home was like many other student apartments—something was a little off. It was as if she could feel an undertone of evil oozing from the walls.

Marc came and stood by her side. “What’s bothering you?”

“Everything,” she said. “It’s all an act. Drake owns everything in this place, but nothing is reflecting him. He’s deliberately picked out every piece of furniture to bolster his fake identity.”

“You notice something else, don’t you?” Marc said.

She nodded. Walking across the room, she studied the framed photographs on the bookshelves. “He doesn’t know any of these people. They aren’t interacting with him.” Moving to the fireplace, she studied the picture of Drake on the mantle. “This is the only real picture in the room.”

Leaning closer, she took in each detail. In the picture, Drake was smiling and holding a red flag in one hand and pointing to the ground with the other. He was dressed all in yellow. Crystal gasped.

Marc was immediately at her side. “What is it?”

“Something awful,” she whispered, feeling a chill running down her back. She forced herself to point at the red flag. “For ancient Romans, a red flag was a signal for battle.” She pointed at Drake’s yellow clothes. “In medieval Spain, executioners wore yellow. Drake’s telling us that he’s coming for battle and that he’s going to be the executioner.”

Marc’s eyes filled with comprehension. “Drake isn’t just searching for a Wave Trapper. He wants to kill people.” He hesitated. “But we knew that, didn’t we?”

An uncontrollable shiver ran through her body. “There are many ways to die. The Spanish Inquisition was known for its cruelty and torture. Drake’s telling us that Phoebe wasn’t a fluke. He’s planning on being brutal.” She turned to Agent Ruthford. “Has this picture been moved?”

He shook his head.

Turning back to the photograph, she studied Drake’s body position. It looked as if his finger was pointing toward the carpet. Studying the angle, Crystal fell to her knees and gave the carpet a tug. A six-inch square came up in her hands. Lines from the poem “Revenge” were written on the floorboards.

Marc took a picture of the disturbing verse. “The meaning seems clear enough.”

“Yes.” Crystal shuddered, clenching and unclenching her fists. “Drake thinks we deserve to suffer.” Turning, she approached a table that held a wilted flower arrangement. “Amaranthus caudatus, rosemary, and star of Bethlehem,” she murmured, fingering a wilted blossom.

“Is that important?” Marc asked.

Nodding, Crystal pointed at the drooping red plumes cascading down the vase. “Amaranthus caudatus is commonly called love lies bleeding. In the language of flowers, it represents hopelessness. The purple spears are rosemary. Rosemary represents remembrance.”

“What about these flowers?” Marc asked, nudging a wilted, white blossom.

Crystal picked one up. “Star of Bethlehem represents reconciliation. The flowers show we’re on the right track. When he steals a Wave Trapper, Drake’s going to reconnect with his old love.”

Seeing nothing further, she entered Drake’s bedroom. It was neat, tidy, and very masculine. Hugging her arms across her chest, she stood in the middle of the floor and looked around. Again, everything seemed normal, but something felt off.

“What do you see?” Marc asked gently.

“It’s what I don’t see,” she replied. “This room is twelve inches shorter than the living room.”

Moving to the northern wall, she spotted a blotch of ink. Her mind recoiled in horror. Springing back, she stuttered, “T-this is a false wall. Drake’s hiding something behind it.”

“I think you’re right about the dimensions of the room,” Agent Ruthford said. “I’ll have my team check it out.”

As Agent Ruthford contacted his agents, Marc touched her arm. Crystal jumped nearly out of her skin.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Can’t you feel the evil in this room?” she replied. “It’s oppressive.”

Marc looked around. “Everything looks normal to me.”

“Everything is a lie.” Running her hands over her arms, she whispered in a voice full of horror, “I don’t want to be here when that wall comes down.”

“Why? What do you think is behind there?” he asked.

“Nothing good.” She pointed at the tiny, black stain on the wall. “That says it all.”

Kneeling down, Marc studied the blotch. “It seems like an ordinary stain to me.”

“It’s not ‘ordinary’ at all,” she replied. “Look closer. It’s a black half-circle with one short line and one long line dangling down. It’s the ancient Egyptian symbol for Amenta. It was used to represent where the Egyptians buried their dead.”

* * *

PURCHASING LINKS FOR TIME SEARCH—EBOOK & PAPERBACK VERSIONS:

Amazon Kindle eBook–Available Now!

Amazon Paperback–Available Now! 

Barnes & Noble Nook eBook–Available Now!! 

Barnes & Noble Paperback: Coming Soon!

Paperback Ordering Through Stores: Coming Soon!

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU!!! Thank you so much for sharing in the joy of my book launch! I want to thank each of you for your encouragement and support! I hope you enjoyed visiting my blog, and I also hope that you really enjoy my books! Have a wonderful day! –Danele

 

  

Spring Is Coming!

Have you ever walked across a frozen field in the cold of winter? The frost sparkling on the barbed wire, the dead branches of the seemingly lifeless trees scraping the iron-gray sky? There is a silence.  A waiting. A wondering. Is everything dead? Will the ground ever produce again? You look up at the sky and wonder why the winter came.  You wonder what God was doing.  Why did He allow the frost? Questions pile on questions, and all around you is only silence.  The only sound is your footsteps against the frozen snow.

Winter can be lonely and frightening.  Blizzards come that threaten to rip you apart.  Storms of anger, and weeping, and sadness overwhelm you.  But between the storms, a beautiful quiet comes.  On the surface, winter appears to be a time of death, but it is also a time when the sap begins to rise in the trees giving them new life.  It’s a time when the earth rests and prepares for new harvest. It is a time of waiting. And the waiting has a beauty too.

Over the frozen expanse of your soul, a silent voice speaks, and if you’re willing to listen, it will tell you that everything is going to be okay. It will assure you of God’s love. In a frozen wasteland, a whisper carries far and is memorable. A connection to God can be forged that is even more potent because of the stillness. Winter makes God’s voice loud.  The whisper becomes a shout. And the shout becomes more real than the frozen snow around you.

As you slowly let go of your disappointment and confusion, almost imperceptibly, spring begins to come. Small things.  Little changes. A trickle of water, a blade of green, clouds parting to reveal a glimpse of blue sky.  Chilly gales become warm breezes. And in the crusted snow, the first crocuses of spring slowly appear. Splashes of color against the desolation.

Questions asked in the middle of winter aren’t always answered immediately.  But as time passes, the truth of Romans 8:28 is revealed. God turns every bad thing into something good. And as that truth settles in and becomes your reality, frozen winter melts into glorious spring. Contentment comes.

If you’re in the middle of winter—if the blizzard winds are howling around and the life you once knew is dead—don’t despair.  You’re going to make it.  Things will change. Never forget that spring is on its way. The crocuses are about to peek out and greet the sun.

“For the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing birds has come. Yes, spring is here!” Song of Solomon 2:12

The Stained Glass Catastrophe–Revisited

When I was a child, one of the things I loved the most about Christmas was doing crafts with my mother.  Along with my sisters, we would make fabulous ornaments.  One year, my family worked with beads, another year we painted ceramics. Every craft project was fun, but the one I enjoyed the most was the stained-glass ornaments. As Mom helped me, I carefully poured little bits of colored glass into metal frames, and then Mom baked the ornaments in the oven.  After the glass melted and cooled, I was able to hold my stained-glass masterpieces up to the window and watch the sunlight streaming through the beautiful colors.  I felt like Picasso. I felt talented! I was invincible! I was Queen of the World!

The years passed, and when I was in 5^th grade, I decided that I wanted to make stained-glassed ornaments again—but this time I wanted to make them without ANY help from my mother. After all, I was practically grown up, and I knew how to handle an oven. My mom quirked an eyebrow at my cocky declarations, but she just cautioned me to be careful and let me alone. Being a middle schooler, I reacted by rolling my eyes. Of course, I would be careful. Sheesh!  

Feeling VERY mature, I carefully arranged the stained glass beads in their metal frames on the cookie sheet. My work was flawless. It was beautiful. It was the epitome of perfection. With a smug smile at my mother, I pushed the cookie sheet into the oven with flourish. What happened next was inevitable; the corner of the cookie sheet got caught on the oven rack and all the glass beads slid off the tray onto the bottom of the oven.  I was horrified.

As the beads melted into a stained-glass mess on the bottom of the oven, I waited for my mother’s reaction.  She didn’t yell or even sigh.  She just got a butter knife and helped me carefully scrape up the mess. When we were done, I found myself looking at her in a new way—not as a child rebelling against authority—but as a child feeling love for someone worthy of respect.

I learned a lot that day.  I learned that I wasn’t invincible, that warnings should be heeded, that the fun of crafts is doing them together, and most of all, I learned that my mother is the nicest woman in the world. Looking back on it; however, I also learned an important lesson about God. Down through the years, there have been times when I’ve told God to back off and let me handle things on my own—usually because I haven’t wanted to follow His instructions. Inevitably, I end up falling on my face, and when I do, God doesn’t yell or sigh or make me feel small.  He just fetches a butter knife and helps me clean up the mess. And each time He does, I realize that God isn’t just wonderful—He’s also KIND.

Whenever I look at stained-glass, I think about my mother who didn’t rebuke me when she had the chance. And I also think about our kind God who never turns His back on us when we make a mess.

 

“Give thanks to God and bless His name. For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and His faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation.”  Psalm 100:4-5

“But You are merciful and gentle, Lord, slow in getting angry, full of constant lovingkindness and truth.”  Psalm 86:15