Blogging my Wip: The Price I Pay

Writing can be murder.  Especially when you have disgruntled fan, who wants you dead! 

Myra finds this out the hard way, when being a Christian Mystery Author turns out to be a reason to fear.

This is not one of her novels, this is her life, and it is becoming a living nightmare.

She can still hear the gunshots, still feel herself collapsing, and then nothing, nothing until she wakes up in the hospital.

Dear Lord, why is this happening to me?

Obviously I am working on another book, actually the idea for this one happened a couple of years ago, but I got so busy with Finding Star, which I will be working one last time, to make ready for Kindle, and because I am so passionate about this book I have good feelings of where the story in Finding Star may go.

Have my other writing friends had a Character like Star, or like Myra one that sticks with you and begs to be written, and then when you find the story is done, you actually grieve over the loss.  Perhaps that is why I hate killing off my characters, because in my mind I may as well be killing off my loved ones.  I believe it was Anne Lamont who described writing like giving birth, the character is inside you, you create it, and watch it grow, but sometimes something goes wrong, and you have to let that character go, you have to write the story in the way the character directs you.

My fans notice I write a lot about people with disabilities, because that is a subject matter I am passionate about, because I want to show the world that just because someone is a little different, just because they use a chair, can't hear well, can't see or whatever the case maybe, does not mean they do not live a full active life.

In the Marishka Tanya Alexei series, the main character happens to be a cop, who just happens to be in a chair, but she can still bring the bad guys down.

The Price I Pay is still a work in progress, but I have a feeling Myra will have a few tricks up her sleeve.  I am just really starting to get to know her, and understand her character.  And I know th lord is her strength.  Just as he is mine.

Well friends, Happy Reading, and Have a Very Merry Christmas, may you be blessed with many books, Kindles and Nooks!!!

God Bless
Michelle

That Time of Year Again

Well I made it through Nano in November, and had a lot of fun, when all was said and done, I ended up with eighty five thousand words, and that felt good I must say. 

I had my thirty fifth birthday on November 25th and got a Samsung Tablet which I must say I love.

The boys (my friends kids who are nephews to me) and I decorated our tree this weekend.  The boys did the majority of the light.  Mikey age twelve strung up the lights, and did a good job of it, and Ethan age six helped with the bulbs and the garland.

Well I guess I should get back to writing, something other than this blog LOL!!!!

In Christs Love
Michelle!

The End In Sight (Deep in the Land of Nano)

How are my fellow Nanowrimers doing?  I am flying through this part, but I know I am going to have to face a lot of rewrites on Edge of Ruin.  I am ready though, but first I need to finish the novel and at 75k words and counting i am starting to see an end in sight.

I took some time off to enjoy my friends youngest sons fall concert.  Very cute I must say.  But I am still writing, and the story line I think is pretty strong. 

I also am realistic and know that this wip is going to need some work.  I am just happy that I am getting the story down.  I am happy to be writing.  Thank God for the gift of words, it is truly freeing in more ways than one.

God Bless
Michelle

Keeping Your Head Above Water...Trial and Error in the World Of Writing And Publshing

As a writer of course my passion is the written word, whether I am the one writing it, or I am reading something.  I love a book that holds on to me and doesn't let me go, and that is the way I want to write, but there is more to an authors life than just writing novels.  After nearly ten years of being an "author" you know that magic word you can use when you are published, I still find myself trying to figure out things like Authors Platform, and how to better your sales, and believe me I have ready plenty on the subject, but I am still trying to figure it out, I will let you know when I get somewhere.

Some may say you could always higher a publicist, and where pray tell is that money going to come from?  I find myself wondering, because the truth is I am not exactly making the kind of living Danielle Steel does at this, of course my genre is different, but I am simply trying to make it, keeping my head above the water in the publishing world.

My publisher does next to nothing in the way of publicity so its left to me, and if I tell you the name of the publisher, you may say why in the world did you publish with them.  The truth was back then I did not know the things I know now.  Ten years can make a person do a lot of growing you know what I mean?  So its left up to me, and yes I have facebook, with more friends than I can count, Google Plus twitter, heck even pinterest, and still I am fighting to keep my head above water...I am trying to make it as a writer, and yet I keep doing it... Some may say well you can always stop writing, and get a "real job" and that has always made me want to scream, you know what I mean?  I have a real job, writing is not merely sitting at a computer all day, typing words, you research, you read, you run around looking for the information you need until your eyes feel heavy, and you wonder if your head is going to explode, and still you do it, because you are a writer, and not writing, would be like not breathing.

I'm a writer, and that is not going to change, even when I feel like pulling my hair out because the sentence does not turn out just right, even as I face rejection and dismal book sales, I am going to write, because write I must...

From the Land of Wrimo 2012

Greetings my friends, pull up a chair, and a cup of cocoa, or coffee whatever you prefer, and write on, those of you who are writing, and for my followers who are not writers, just pull up a chair, something warm to drink, and keep reading, everyone is welcome here.

A week in of Nano and I am pushing nineteen thousand words on my Novel.  Some may ask why you want to due Nano, the truth is simple I enjoy it, and it gets those creative juices flowing.  It may not be like any other literary contest, but the point is its fun, and I enjoy it.  I am also working on other projects so I am plenty busy.

Writing has been a passion of mine for a long time, I guess its only natural because I am a reader, and for the past five years Nanowrimo has been something I have looked forward to.  I do not expect to write the great American Novel in the span of thirty days don't get me wrong, but I do find that often times I get ideas that I can tweak into ideas that turn into something worthy of print.

The boys have their own desktop now.  But they still love fighting over my laptop LOL!!!!

Well I guess I better get back to the word count, maybe I can make it to twenty k tonight, that would make me very happy.  Anyway happy writing my fellow wrimers, and happy reading to everyone else.

God Bless
Michelle~

Nano Countdown 2012

I don't know about you, but I am ready for this years Nano are you? I have actually got my novel outlined, and I am ready to delve into Edge of Ruin. I always start out this way though, on fire to start, but somehow I always barely make it to fifty k perhaps a little higher by the end of the month, but I am aiming for about seventy k with this novel, and I am going to be busy writing.
Tomorrow I have errands to run, and will be getting little things like that done, but other than that I plan on buckling down and writing. I can't wait.


Tonight I will be going with Fran and Ethan trick or treating though, which should be fun, other than the fact I have a cold, but its a cold I am sure I will survive LOL!!!


Mikey wont be going because he left for sixth grade camp today, where does the time go? I can remember when I went to sixth grade camp, never mind how many years ago LOL!!!
Well I hope you will be joining me in the fun of Nano this year, my fellow writing buddies, until next time!
God Bless
Michelle!

On The Closing Of Hope Center

It has been a crazy few months in both positive and negative ways I have settled in to my little studio and am quite happy with that but on a negative note Hope Center closed its doors a week ago Sunday.

I am going to miss the time with the kids but I have my writing to focus on and the boys of course.I'm trying to look at this on a more positive note but the truth is whenever a church closes it does bring a measure of grief.

In the meantime I have several works in progress going on and will be taking part in nano this year as I have for the past five years. I have also decided it is time to focus more on the publicity aspect of my writing and I have more time to do that now so I am going to focus on creative but inexpensive ways to reach others with the words God has placed upon my heart. I know that this blog is one way to do that so I want to be a little more real regular on my postings here.

I hope you'll join me in this journey through the writing life and be blessed with the words the Lord has given me to share with others.

Michelle Kidwell

In the Center of God's Will?

I was having issues with my health last night, mainly pain, in my lower back and Kidney areas, so because I could not sleep, I found myself doing a little reading, and one of those books was a Beth Moore book, and this quote just popped out at me, kind of like a spiritual slap on the face I guess...Not all hardship is caused by sin. sometimes difficulty comes smack dab in the center of Gods will. Beth Moore

I was having one of those why me moments the other day, because the pain level was so great, and the fact is I am no stranger to pain, my pain tolerance is fairly high.  I live with Myopathy and a Neuromuscular disorder but this was more intense than anything I had ever felt, it kept me awake for a good portion of the night, I found myself crying out, even angry at God.  I tried to serve him, I did my best to live the Christian life, oh the good Lord knows I am not perfect I tried, but the pain, wow the pain.  At that moment I felt like the only one in pain.

I am sure none of you have ever felt that way.  You are all strong Christians, who have never asked the Lord why right?


It was a night later when that quote from Beth Moore came at me, reminding me of God's will for my life, and to remind me that I am not the only one who struggles, who has her physical problems, I am not perfect but I serve a perfect Lord, and despite the pain I lead a blessed life.

I am only human though, and I have been accused of having some kind of Pollyanna complex, and the truth is I try to remain positive, but I am not some kind of Super Christian who goes through life without troubles or tribulations.

A Nations Tragedy (Aurora Colorado)

I could be blogging about my word count, or my current work in progress but in light of the tragedy in Aurora, I find myself reflecting and praying over that.

I can not get the images out of my head, images of bloodshed in a movie theatre of all places.

We go to the theatre to escape to have some enjoyment, and though I may not agree with every movie that comes out, as an American and as a Christian that is my right, but I also do not feel like this is the time to place blame on someone in Hollywood, we need to focus now on making sure the victims get the justice they need.

Twelve dead, among them an up and coming sports caster, who narrowly escaped a shooting in Toronto Canada, two months prior.

Jessica wrote this in one of her blogs, words in her blog dated June.5th words that I think we should all take to heart,


I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings. Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.

Jessica Redfield/her working name is only one victim, a victim who was given her face, many we do not even have a face or a name for, because families still have to be notified.  Funerals have to be planned.


Who knew that in America, going to a midnight premiere could suddenly become punishable by death.


I woke up this morning hearing the news wondering at first if it was some movie playing, but it was real.  All to real.

God Bless
Michelle~

Visons of Grandeur

Perhaps like me when you first began thinking that perhaps you would publish books, you dreamed of that mansion on the San Francisco Bay, but truth be told for me it has always been about more than that, I knew that my stories, my words make a difference, that I somehow spread a message.

I began writing stories a few years before I gave my heart to Christ, I was still very much a child then.  At fourteen I suppose you are a child, but I watched myself grow as a writer, and I watched my dreams grow too.

After having seven books published though, and still not having that mansion on the San Francisco Bay, or better yet a log cabin in my hometown.  I think I like the sound of the later better.  I would get lost in the curves and turns of San Francisco, but regardless as a writer I barely scrape by.  Without my faith, and that burning sensation inside me that tells me to write, to say what I need to say, to use my words to draw each other to the Lords.

On some of my writing I try to step out of my comfort zone.  Finding Star, deals with abuse, molestation, rape, but more than that it is a story of redemption.

And the Alexei Series, the four that are published, all deal with things that perhaps some Christians would not touch, but I touch them in a way I feel God would want me to.  I often find myself praying as I am writing, and more often than not I incorporate verses from the Bible.

I know that I am a professional Author, but now more than ever I know what that means, it does not mean the words always come easy, that I don't sweat and cry over them because I do, but when someone reads my words and tells me they are touched in someway, even when someone points something out that I need to change, I feel good about what I am doing.

Sometimes Life Throws You Curveballs

Well friends I know Independence Day has passed, but I have not blogged since the end of June, so I pray everyone had a safe and blessed Independence Day, and I pray that everyone took the time to think of what truly was sacrificed so we could have our freedom.  Freedom is never free, remember that, their is always a cost, but in Christ we have the freedom we may not have otherwise.

I have been writing of course, slowly working on the final revisions of Finding Star, I am hoping to have it available for the Kindle by Christmas and in paperback, maybe even hardcover sometime after that, but just when I think I am getting ahead life throws a curveball, but some of those are good, some not so good.

I am first and foremost a Christian, a Child of God, and then I am a writer, so I try to make sure my writing has a message in it a Christian message.  I want to reach others for Christ.  As a writer I am also a reader and just this past Friday I believe it was I purchased Lisa Buffaloes delightful book Grace for the Char Baked for my Kindle, and when it comes back in paperback I am going to purchase that as well.

Good Night and God Bless
Michelle~

When Words Reach the Soul and Other Gifts!!!!

I would not be the person I am today, if it were not for the people in my life.  I am blessed with a family that I love, and I happen to have another passion working with Children.  I have nieces and nephews and friends kids, all whom I love to spoil, and all who in turn give me inspiration to write.

Words are my passion, but I would not have that passion if it were not for my faith, and the fire that he put inside me.  Even before I gave my heart to Jesus he gave me a gift, the gift of words.  I must admit my earliest stories were nothing to write home about, at least not the first drafts, but I was able to resurrect a few into something readable.  I always seemed to have my mind spinning though.

I write because I want the next generation to fall in love with words the way I did, I want them to have that love affair with books, the way I did.  I mean there is such an amazing feeling, when you know someone is holding a book with your name on it, and you pray, you pray hard that you are conveying a good message.

I love writing, and I love that the Lord uses that gift to help me reach out to others. 

 I love when my words somehow touch others.  When my words reach to a soul.

I write because God gave me that gift, and I am going to continue writing, and I pray that I help others reexamine things, with the words I write.

God Bless
Michelle~

What Set the Fire Inside of You?

Do you remember the first time you dreamed of writing, what set that fire inside of you?  For me I guess writing was a natural progression because I was always a reader, always looking for a good book.  I devoured them the way some children devoured Candy.

It was my freshman year in high school though that I was first encouraged to write creatively.  I had a wonderful teacher who I remember to this day, one who was always giving me extra credit work, not necessarily because I needed to bring up my grade, but because she saw a creative mind at work, and she even encouraged me to send my work off.  For a fourteen-fifteen year old freshmen that was a huge compliment, and I was determined to make her proud.

I am a seven time published author now, but I no longer have the grandeur of great fame made from my words, and I suppose I never really did, to me it was always about telling a story, creating something that could touch others, and bring them to the Lord.

I began writing three and a half years before I was saved, but after I was saved my writing not only grew, it changed.  I was no longer writing simply to tell a story, I was writing to share with others the joy in my life, the joy I found in the Lord. 

I am not only a writer now, I am an author, and the joy I felt when my first book was published was not diminished when I recently published my seventh, though I know better the realities of what I face.  I know that others look to me for advise, and want my opinions and I know too that sometimes others blame me for the mistakes they make, but that is true with anybody.  We all have faced that, so instead of focusing on that, I focus on that Fire that was set inside of me, all those years ago!!

God Bless
Michelle~

To Write or Not to Write And Birthday Wishes

Why is it that even authors run out of things to blog about?  I mean I could blog about my feelings on the presidency, or the way I feel this nation is going, but this is not what this blog is about.  It is a blog about my writing, so I write about writing, amongst other things of course.

I did manage to finish the Camp Nano project, and will probably be working on another project for August, but right now I am working on a Novel called To Write Or Die.  I honestly don't know how the idea came to me, probably from my obsession with Murder She Wrote, though the novel is of course not based on that.  It is rather different.

I am a writer, so I write, even when I am not writing, I guess in a sense I am writing, and my chosen genre happens to be Christian Mystery though I write other things, I have the most fun writing Christian Mysteries, because I have the most fun reading them.

I write poetry too, another passion of mine, but not to the extent of Mystery Novels, there is just something about the way a Christian Mystery Novel is written, the way you can get lost in a story, I feel the same way in that aspect about reading as I do about writing.

I know this is a writers blog, but for a moment let me take this opportunity to wish my friend Karen Vidra and Karla Dorman a Very happy birthday.  53 years young, they are truly a miracle, it just goes to show the Lord's plans outweigh the worlds plans.

To Be Continued...

Really What Do You Want to Do For A Living?

I remember early on when I said something about wanting to be a writer, I remember the looks, "No I mean, really, what do you want to do for a living" I want to write, I don't solely write, I work with the Children's Ministry to feed my soul, and I babysit, but writing is my passion.  Not writing, I can not imagine life without words.

Words are part of my heritage.  My Grandmother an Italian-American, the first generation to be raised in America, Providence Rhode Island in her case, grew up in the early part of the twentieth century.  She did well in school and wanted to make sure her children and grandchildren did the same.

I think my earliest memories involve me reading with Nonna.  I could read from the time I was three and a half, by the fourth grade, I tested at a tenth grade level of reading, despite being in Special Education classes.  Back then you were put in those classes if you seemed a little slow physically, and because I was, I was placed in those classes, and I found myself spending the time I was in first grade until the fourth grade.  My cousin helped me immensely with that.

I have always been a reader, so the natural progression was to become a writer, but it wasn't until my freshman year in high school that I realized that this was indeed a gift, but it was in College that I realized I wanted to write for a living.  I had studied enough now, to know that I was not going to wave some kind of magic wand, and make sales into the millions, but I did have hope that I would someday be published and in 2003 I was.

I was twenty six, when I was published, my Nonna would live to celebrate my first book Reflections on Life with me, but by the time A Collection of Memories was out, in 2004, she would have gone to Heaven, but I still feel her with me, encouraging me, the Lord truly used her to show me, that with God being a writer was possible, man may see me as crazy, but the good Lord knew I had a gift.

God Bless
Michelle~

This Writers Life, This Writers Reality Check

First of all let me take a moment to wish my Mother a happy 61st birthday.  I hope she is enjoying it!!!

Secondly I must say I am work hard on my Camp Nano project and am soon going to hit 33k.  I believe I will make it to fifty k by the end of the month!! Wohoo.

This month has been full of its ups and downs, to say that some parts of it have been difficult is most definitely an understatement but like always the good Lord sees us through, and soon my place will be ready wohoo!!!

I am going to be working more seriously on my writing from now on, moving on my own and paying rent has waken me up to the reality that I really need to work at this, if I plan on eeking out any kind of living from my words.  I do not have any visions of grandeur.  I doubt I will make as much money as Danielle Steel from writing, but enough to cover the basics would be nice LOL!!!

I get some income, but I do have dreams of making it as a writer, like I said I do not expect to be the next Danielle Steel, but I am a writer, and I believe a competent one so I am going to do my best to make sure that I treat this like a real job, because in every sense it is that.  Others may not see it as such but I do.

We have got a decent internet connection now, thankfully our little community has made the leap into the twenty first century and now has Cable internet, and I must say I love it LOL!!!

Well I guess I better get back to writing, June's Camp Nano novel I mean!  I will blog again soon!!!

God Bless
Michelle~

In the Life of This Writer

Hard to believe it's been about six weeks since my last blog.  I know I promised to blog more regularly than this, but life gets in the way sometimes, big time!

School is out for the summer, little man graduated Kindergarten, and big brother is going into sixth grade.  In fact his Mamma just told me he gets an award next week for not missing any school, think that is awesome!

I have been up to other things as well, like moving, that type of thing, and now we may be getting custody of my Nephew Steven, long story there, but if it's the Lord will I believe it will happen.

I don't know about my fellow authors but I am doing June's Camp Nano and may do Augusts as well.  I have a pretty good idea mapped out for August and am now at over 16k on June's so yeah I am pretty pleased with my progress.

I guess I better close this blog, and try to call it a night, but for some reason sleep is a mere illusion tonight.

God Bless
Michelle~

It Speaks of God's Grace

I must apologize for not blogging sooner, I generally try to blog more often than I have been, but due to issues with the internet and the sheer business of life I have not been able to.  In fact I even took a couple of weeks off of writing on Shades of Hope, but I did get the idea to map out another novel, based on the Etan Patz case, but being that I was only a year and a half when that transpired and really of course have no memory it is going to require a lot of research.

Earlier in the month I got to see my niece Elizabeth Ann for the first time and she is adorable, beyond adorable actually LOL!!  Maybe I am a little biased, but hey I have that right LOL!!!

My older Niece Amber came up over Easter break and I am so glad she did.  I really enjoyed spending time with her, and am glad for every opportunity I get.

I was very happy to get to see the beautiful time with family, I think we all need that from time to time if you know what I mean, I was not worried about my books or anything else, simply enjoying the blessings of the Lord.

Speaking of the Lord's blessings, earlier in the months I took some pics of California Poppies, so full and Vibrant I could not resist!!!

I wonder how people can see things like this, and not be inspired, not see God's handiwork in these images,  all that I have posted her today speak of God's Grace to me.

Well I am going to close this for now, and get back to writing, missing a couple of weeks of writing has really inspired me so I am going to continue to do what I do LOL!!!

God Bless

Michelle~

My Words, His Gift to Me

First of all let me say I hope all of my readers had a wonderful Easter and I pray you took the time to remember the true meaning of Easter. I enjoyed my Easter I helped out Mrs Cheryl with the kiddos yesterday I truly enjoy working with her.

This is of course my writers blog but I would not be the writer I am without my faith.  The good Lord gave me a gift for words and I pray that I use those words for his glory.  Whether I am writing fiction or nonfiction I want my first question to be "Am I writing something that is pleasing and glorifying to the good Lord?"

I came across a verse in Psalm 45:1
Psalm 45[a]
    For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[b] A wedding song.

 1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
   as I recite my verses for the king;
   my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

Life is full of writing opportunities and ideas and I find the ideas all around me my kittens for one have got me to thinking about reworking a children's book I wrote when I was 16 called Timmie the Kitten.

I think we as writers and readers tend to look at the world around us and allow ourselves to get lost in thoughts and story ideas and that is a good thing but as a writer I do not want to get so wrapped up in the story that I forget the one who gave me the gift.  I do not ever want to forget Jesus's sacrifice on the cross.

I want to close this entry with Matthew 28

Matthew 28

Jesus Has Risen

 ¹ After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  ² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
 ⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
 ⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

 ¹¹ While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹² When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, ¹³ telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

 ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

He Was and is Truly the King of the World

The other day my focus was on Palm Sunday but now Easter is approaching and I wonder how many of us take the time to reflect on Christ's sacrifice on the cross for us.  Now tell me how many of the other so-called God's have Sacrificed the Way, Christ sacrificed for us.

Even Easter has become a commercialized holiday in which so many have taken Christ out of it.  Easter should be a time for us to reflect on what Christ has given us and on the sacrifices that took place near Galilee.  Our Savior the King of the world was treated worse than a common criminal yet he endured this for us.

I do not want to lose sight of the true meaning of Easter and all that Christ sacrificed for us.

Good Friday marks the death of Christ but on Easter Sunday he rose again.  So we are not only memorializing his sacrifice more importantly we are showing that with his resurrection he proved without a doubt he was and is the Messiah.

Luke 23

 ¹ Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. ² And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”
 ³ So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
   “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
 ⁴ Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
 ⁵ But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”
 ⁶ On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
 ⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. ⁹ He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. ¹² That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.
 ¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” ^{[17] [a]
 18} But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
 ²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
 ²² For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”
 ²³ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided to grant their demand. ²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

 ²⁶ As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ²⁸ Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰ Then    “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
   and to the hills, “Cover us!”’^[b]
   31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
 ³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
 ³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
 ³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
 ³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 ³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
 ⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
 ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.^[d]”
 ⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Death of Jesus

 ⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”^[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last.  ⁴⁷ The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” ⁴⁸ When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. ⁴⁹ But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus

 ⁵⁰ Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, ⁵¹ who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. ⁵² Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. ⁵³ Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. ⁵⁴ It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.  ⁵⁵ The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. ⁵⁶ Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

As our children prepare to open Easter baskets and enjoy chocolate bunnies let's not forget to remind them that Easter is not about baskets of candy I see nothing wrong with them as long as we do not lose sight of the true meaning.

God bless love Michelle

What Are We Celebrating

Palm Sunday April 1, 2012

What Are We Celebrating

As Christians we celebrate Palm Sunday to memorialize Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We tend to forget what this season is all about.  We lose sight of what we are truly celebrating.  This season represents everything Christ did for us while we were yet sinners.

Jesus not only died on the cross for us but he endured three days in hell for us.  Now tell me if any other so-called savior would do such a thing. 

Matthew 21: 1 as they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent to disciples, 2 saying to them “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once he will find a donkey tied their with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to me.  3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them and he will send them right away."

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,

see your King comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks for Jesus to sit on.  8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  9. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

"Hosana son of David !"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

11 The crowds answered "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Did they realize that Jesus was much more than a prophet.  In fact he came to this Earth in human form to die for our sins.

We live in a much different time and place than Jesus did, some things are universal and have no time for age.  Just like in the days of Christ we have people hungering for so much more than what this world has to offer.  So many of our young people are trying to find ways of instant gratification instead of  seeking out Christ.

Perhaps if we as Christians have the fire that our forefathers had we would see a different outcome.  Our children would know what we're truly celebrating when we celebrate Jesus’s death and resurrection.

Writing in Shades of Hope

I know I made a vow to myself to blog more often, but here I am in the midst of a new project, Shades of Hope, a young adult Christian Novel, dealing with overcoming not only disability, but other issues as well, more painful than even a disability, because I felt the good Lord calling me to do this.

I may not have been blogging as often as I should, but I have been writing, and have nearly sixty pages on Shades of Hope, and am passionate about what I am writing about, that in itself is important right?

I try to write at least two thousand words a day, sometimes more, and sometimes less, but I generally try to write a chapter, and two thousand words I feel is a good chapter amount for a young adult book, that is dealing with as many painful subject matters as Shades of Hope, because I do not want to spend to long focusing on one thing, nor do I want to spend two little times.

As a Christian Writer, I try to make sure I write nothing that would allow others to question my faith, but I do tend to deal with painful subjects, some may say are even taboo, but in a way that shows the light of the Lord, shinning in the end.  I try to teach my Characters a lesson, and show them the importance of leaning on Christ, but I am not perfect, and I do have my faults.  I may not be the greatest writer but I think of myself as a good writer, not because of anything I do, but because the Lord so often moves my pen.

1 John 1

The Incarnation of the Word of Life

 ¹ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. ² The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We write this to make our^[a] joy complete.

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

 ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[b] sin.

 ⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.