Marlayne Giron's Blog: Marlayne's Blog, page 6

Winner of Kimberly Payne's book!

Sandy - you are the winner of this book! Please email me at: thevictorbook@sbcglobal.net with your contact information

Interview and Book Giveaway with Kimberly Payne

Tells us first how you came to faith in Jesus.Jesus  showed Himself to me in 2001 and I immediately fell in love with Him. He has been my constant companion and friend since then, helping me to get through some pretty tough years.

How old were you when you wrote your first real story and what was it about?I wrote poems since I was a young child. For 1st Communion I wrote, “We walked up the aisleHand in handIn our gowns so whiteTo receive the body and bloodof our Lord, Christ.”

I kept a diary and journaled all our family travels. It felt natural for me to write.

Where did you get the idea for your latest book?
I like books that encourage and inspire and so I put together a book that I myself would enjoy. Women of Strength includes encouraging devotionals with practical health & fitness tips.

What do you want readers to take away from your writing and this book in particular?I would love them to make small changes in their lifestyle to enable them to improve their spiritual and physical health.

What is your favorite comfort food?
I love bread. My husband jokes that I’m a cheap date because I’d love to eat at a subway joint over any fancy restaurant.

What are your hobbies other than writing?I love to bike and hike the woods around my home. Nothing beats a day trekking through the woods along trails with a friend.

Which movie has inspired you the most and why?There is something about Forrest Gump that has a timeless quality that inspires me whenever I watch it.  Forrest made a profound difference in the lives of those around him, just being himself.
Where do you get most of your ideas for your books?From everyday life.  Watching television, talking to family, travelling to work, grocery shopping...life is wonderful fodder!
Out of everything you have written, do you have a favorite and why?I’d say this latest work, Women of Strength. It combines my love of health and fitness with my passion for God.

To win a copy of Kimberly's book:


1) You must be a follower of this blog.
2) Leave a comment.
3) Post links to this interview on all your social media (twitter, facebook, your blog.
4) Leave your email address so I can contact the winner.


Check out her website: http://www.kimberleypayne.com/index.php

She's With Jesus Now

I got a letter in the mail today from the mother of an old friend. A letter I have been expecting to receive for quite a while about a very dear friend of mine. Her name was Kathy Butler and she passed away on July 20th of this year. Kathy and I met when we were both in our early twenties and only got to spend a few times together but it was a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Next to my first love, Barry Henriot, who died of a brain Aneurysm when I was 22, Kathy was the most devoted Christian I ever met. 


She was my age (52) when she passed but we had distinctly different lives. All her life all she ever wanted to do was to be a medical missionary in India to help spread the Gospel. Probably the last place on earth most Christians would admit to want to go to in order to serve the Lord (if they were being honest). That dream was cut short along with everything else most normal people do. She contracted Lyme's disease which went undiagnosed for over ten years and it took a devastating physical, mental and emotional toll upon her. 


Kathy never married, never had children and couldn't even hold down a job. She lived with her mother until the very end; hardly able to dress or get out of bed and function but I could never tell from the cheerful sound in her voice whenever I would call to speak with her. She spent every waking moment mostly alone, reading the scriptures, doing Bible studies. I visited her whenever I could (she lived 700 miles away from me), called (when she was able to come to the phone) and wrote letters and sent her my books since that was her only form of entertainment: reading. She never forgot my birthday and would always send a cheerful letter, never complaining but wishing with all her heart that she could just be free of all the pain and loneliness and be with Jesus, her precious Savior. The last time I got to see Kathy was a several year's ago on New Year's Day. We were already in Northern California and made a special trip to see her (pictures below).  She was her usually bubbly self and I knew then that it was probably the last time I would ever see her again because of the distance between us.


When I was writing my second book, Make a Wish, I so wanted to include a wish fulfillment story for Kathy because I knew her days were limited and she had so few things in life that she could enjoy.  I really wanted the Lord to speak to her through this story.  I wanted to bring her comfort and meaning for all the years she had suffered what seemed to be (on the surface anyway) a life devoid of purpose.  The Lord gave me exactly the inspiration I needed and here below is Kathy's story.  She wrote me after she received it that it was perfect and how no one had ever "got it" so perfectly.  I had exactly captured what she so needed to hear.   


Kathy - I know you can't hear me or read this but I want you to know how happy I am for you that you are now and for all eternity finally sitting at the Master's Feet!






Here is Kathy's wish fulfillment story:




            I have known Kathy since we were both in our early 20’s. Kathy is the most faithful, long-suffering child of God I have ever known.  All her life, all she ever wanted to do was to serve God as a medical missionary in India, helping the poorest of the poor. Instead, 20 years ago, she contracted Lyme’s disease which went undiagnosed.  The disease has made it impossible for her to work a job or have any kind of normal life. She has never been married nor had children and lives and still lives with her mom who was recently diagnosed with cancer.  Despite her complete isolation (now going on several years); Kathy remains cheerful, upbeat and faithful. She has thrown herself into Bible Study and reading is the only pleasure left to her.  This is my wish for Kathy and this book would not have been complete without it.  If you feel so inclined, please pray for my friend and all the people in this book who are hurting in one way or another.
“At the Master’s Feet”
            It was noon and Kathy woke up slowly.  The medication she took to dull the constant pain made it impossible to wake up any earlier.  She opened her eyes to find large male feet in a pair of sandals on the floor directly across from her. Her gaze traveled up, up, up…her heart thumping; until they froze upon the face of Someone she had never thought to see on this side of heaven.             “Kathy” He said, offering His hand to her. Unable to tear her eyes from His beloved face, she put her small hand into his large warm one and felt a thrill run through her body. She felt lighter, wide awake and completely free of pain.            “Come,” he beckoned, opening her bedroom door.             “Is this my time to-to…uh you know…?” she couldn’t quite say the words.            Jesus looked at her. “No – not yet,” He answered. Kathy nodded and followed him through the door.            She suddenly found herself standing in a dwelling made of stone. There was a bustle of activity as men and women rushed to and fro, carrying baskets of dates and figs and large clay pitchers. A dark-haired woman with a flustered look on her face was pointing and directing all her servants while at the same time, kneading dough and minding a spit upon which a lamb was slowly roasting.  Kathy looked about her in awe realizing that somehow she had gone back in time and was seeing a familiar scene from the Bible played out before her very eyes.  She looked down at herself and found that she was no longer wearing 21st century sleepwear but long flowing robes of hand woven linen and her hair was down past the small of her back but covered in a veil. She no longer felt any pain or exhaustion; just a sense of wonder and awe.  ­She went off to do a little exploring and found a middle-aged man pouring wine into vessels and talking to some other men.             “Yes, it is just as you have heard.” He was saying. “I wasn’t asleep or unconscious…I was in Abraham’s bosom.  I saw and heard things that I can’t even begin to describe to you.  I saw our Patriarchs, Isaac, Jacob and Moses and I even saw the gulf fixed between Sheol and Abraham’s bosom with our rich neighbor on the other side who died shortly after I did. He was begging for someone to go to his brothers and warm them but Moses assured him that none would listen…” at that moment he turned and noticed Kathy standing there with her mouth agape. So the story of the rich man and Lazarus wasn’t a parable… she had been thinking.  To her surprise Lazarus opened his arm and beckoned her closer.            “This is my sister, Mary,” he said to the others, meaning Kathy. “She can vouch as to the validity of my death. Isn’t that so, sister?” Kathy wasn’t about to contradict a biblical character and ruin her daydream so she just nodded her head up and down in agreement. Lazarus gave her a brotherly hug and she took that as her cue to go.  She moved on to other rooms of the house which were still bustling with activity as more and more guests flowed into the house. She eventually wound up in the room where Jesus was reclining and decided to sit down at his feet. He offered her some warm pita bread and hummus.  Kathy was hesitant to eat it. It had been years since she had deviated from her simple and wearisome diet of plain chicken, oatmeal, and peanut butter.  The thought of putting anything else into her stomach and what it might to do her later was terrifying.            “Do not fear,” He comforted her. “Eat.”            Kathy popped it into her mouth and closed her eyes with pleasure. It was delicious if only because it was such a complete change of venue but mostly because it had come directly from her Savior’s own hand.  Might as well enjoy myself while I’m here! She thought to herself and began to help herself to everything with relish. While she ate Jesus lay reclined on the cushions that were spread across the floor and Kathy followed suit, not knowing what else to do.            Then He began to speak to her and tell her stories. Stories that had never been recorded in the Gospel accounts. Kathy was transfixed not only by His words but by His face and eyes as well which never left hers. Eyes that were deep, bottomless wells of infinite love. All else in the room faded away into insignificance as He spoke.             “Master!” came an irritated voice from across the room. All activity in the room paused to stare at the lady of the house who stood sweating with her hands upon her hips in exasperation.  To make matter worse she was glaring at Kathy as if she had committed a grievous social faux pas. A weird feeling of déjà vu came over Kathy. The woman continued, pointing an accusing finger at Kathy. “Do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Tell her to help me!”            “Martha! Martha!” Jesus said, shaking his head and laying his hand upon Kathy’s shoulder protectively. “You are worried and bothered about so many things but only a few are necessary; really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part which shall not be taken from her!”            Suddenly Kathy found herself back in her bedroom, in her bed clothes with her Bible open upon her lap. She blinked a few times then looked up and was amazed to still see her Savior sitting there.  He was looking upon her with such love and compassion it made her want to weep.            “My daughter,” He said, cupping her trembling chin in His warm hand. “All thy life you have grieved the fact that you have been unable to serve Me as a nurse in a foreign land but I am here to tell you that I have chosen the way of Mary for you.  Do not regret the long years of pain and isolation for in them you have been given the gift of sitting at My feet and learning of Me. There is no greater sacrifice I could ask or gift I can bestow than this.  In all thy trials you have proved thyself a good and faithful servant and in thee I am well pleased.”            Kathy bowed her head, overwhelmed. Tears dripping from her eyes. When she lifted her head again He was gone but she could still feel His presence in the room.  No matter what lay ahead in the days to come, she knew she was in the center of His perfect will…and that was enough.
THE END

Tolerating the Intolerable

I had an interesting conversation with a person on Facebook yesterday about the Chick-fil-A firestorm. The person asked me if I agreed with their position on gay marriage and when I said that I also support traditional marriage and don't want it redefined into something else, this was her response:

"...well my children woke me up to life....as young adults in junior high school they were so tolorant of all their friends ..black white gay straight ....and i felt so proud of them in their beliefs...like so what....they are still human God created all of us no matter what..and don't get me wrong I was right there with them growing up...so what...i love all people regardless..i think it was the way i was raised...."

What does treating individuals with respect have to do with tolerating the assault on our Christian values?


“Tolerance” tol·er·ance (noun)

1.   A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race , religion , nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry. 2.   A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own. 3.   Interest in and concern for ideas, opinions, practices, etc., foreign to one's own; a liberal, undogmatic viewpoint.
Does this even begin to resemble how the radical left who claim to be the most “tolerant” people in this country behave? They demand that those of us who subscribe to orthodox Christian values abandon our deeply held beliefs and not just “tolerate” their behavior anymore, but approve of it or there will be hell to pay! It is no longer enough for them for us to “tolerate” their unbiblical behavior, now we are demanded to treat sexual immorality as a “virtue” and if we don’t we are threatened with boycotts, bodily harm and even death threats. That we are the ones branded as “intolerant” is laughable. That’s the kettle calling the porcelain teacup black. In the 1970s we were told it wasn’t any of our business what two consenting adults did in the privacy of their own bedrooms but now we see every kind of twisted aberrant behavior paraded out in public and on our television screens (“in our face”) and if we utter a peep of protest we are branded as haters and targeted for public destruction. You don’t see Christians targeting sexual deviants like this or singling them out for public execution!
Case in point: Chick Fil A’s CEO standing up for traditional marriage. Twenty years ago no one would have batted an eye; it would have been a “non story” but now that our own President has come out in favor of gay marriage this group feels emboldened to bully anyone and everything that doesn’t give their whole-hearted approval to what is a behavior condemned by God. The same thing happened the same week to a bakery owner in Colorado who has the right to refuse service to anyone and would not consent to make a wedding cake for a gay marriage. He is being inundated with hate mail and has stated that he may have to close his business rather than compromise on his religious beliefs.
It is Christians and Christianity that is no longer “tolerated” in our society and it is obvious that the day is fast approaching when the government might sanction the outright persecution of Christians because of their “intolerance” to immorality.


What’s down is up, what’s right is wrong, what’s black is white. The Old Testament has a warning for us in these last days that we should take very careful heed to: Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil goodand good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. If that doesn’t accurately describe what is going on today in our world then I don’t know what does.
It is the God of the Bible we will all have to give an account to; He is the ultimate judge of our souls. Are we going to conform to the world and just “try to get along” or are we going to stand firm in our faith?
I refer to you this excellent post from one of my favorite Bible Prophecy blogs, Rapture Ready; read it if you dare!
http://www.raptureready.com/featured/... 

Interview and Book Giveaway!

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Tells us first how you came to faith in Jesus.After reading Hal Lindsay’s ‘Late, Great Planet Earth’, the idea that hell was real forced me to take a look at who Jesus was.  I had always believed there was a god, but someone way out there who wasn’t all that interested in un-important me. Hal Lindsay wrote about what Jesus did for me, that He loved me, and died for me. Out of gratitude, I asked Him to control my life, help me make wise choices, and to make me the woman that He, God, wanted me to be. That was almost 40 years ago.

How old were you when you wrote your first real story and what was it about?One sleepless night, when I was close to 50 years of age, I sat down at my husband’s computer and wrote about a little girl who was physically abused by her father. I wrote the one scene and the next day a friend read the story. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears so I knew God had given me a gift. I’d never wanted to be a writer, almost flunked English in high school, so this had to be from the Lord.

Where did you get the idea for your latest book?
Silence is the fourth in a mystery series. The story took me there after I visited Miami. It was the natural progression for my characters and told the story of trust in God, something I was learning in my own life.
What do you want readers to take away from your writing and this book in particular?
I want my readers to know that a close walk with the Lord is not only possible but beneficial, that no matter what we do for a living, where we travel, or what our circumstances are, Jesus will walk with us, side by side. God wants the small things in our life to matter for Him and He has a plan and purpose for each of us, different than the man or woman in the next room. In Silence, Trust Me is a message my characters hear over and over.  We need to think about complete trust in the God of the Universe not in ourselves no matter what’s happening around us and to us.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
John 3: 16 continues to be my favorite since that’s how I finally learned who Jesus is and why I need Him in my life. He’s not just some good person, He is Majestic God, and yet He died just for me. WOW!
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Barbara is currently running a sale on her paperback books so here are links if you would like to check her (and her books) out! To win a copy of Barbara's book:


1) You must be a follower of this blog.
2) Leave a comment.
3) Post links to this interview on all your social media (twitter, facebook, your blog.
4) Leave your email address so I can contact the winner.

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/MPPTst
Amazon.ca - http://amzn.to/JD8kMAAmazon.co.uk - http://amzn.to/Kj1L4gAmazon author page - http://amzn.to/Loj4kKLinkedIn - http://linkd.in/KFuzlhGoodreads.com - http://bit.ly/GJcTCdTwitter.com - http://twitter.com/@prolificwritersFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/barbara.a.derksen?ref=tn_tnmnFacebook fan page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/EaglesNest/205663322735Google - https://plus.google.com/app/plus/mp/560/#~loop:a=g:115019691930054684195&view=profileWebsite - http://www.barbaraannderksen.com

My Mom is in the Twilight of Her Life

I truly love my mom. She's 95 and is looking so very fragile.  She had me very late in her life (age 42) after losing three previous babies. I was 2.5 months premature (3lbs 2oz) in 1959 and it was a miracle I lived.

She has been so incredibly devoted and I especially remember when I was in the hospital for 30 days after two consecutive surgeries and she came every single day (commuting 50 miles) and sat by my bedside all day long. She has been a wonderful mom.

It makes me sad to see her so fragile and now she has lost her short-term memory.  I don't think she is much longer for this world and that is what really upsets me. You see my mom doesn't know the Lord. She is a nonreligious Jew and despite how many times I've tried to show her from our own scriptures how it is a very Jewish thing to believe in Jesus (Yeshua) as Messiah, but it just doesn't get through to her.  I pray for a miracle daily because I don't want my mom to go into eternity the way my dad did, lost without God.

So I'm making a special request. If you are reading this post, please pray for my mom and ask God for a miracle, her name is Ruth. No one else in my family believes. Thank you so very much!

Interview and Book Giveaway with Tracy Krauss!

Marshdale. Just a small farming community where nothing special happens.  A perfect place to start over… or get lost. There is definitely more to this prairie town than meets the eye. Once the meeting place of aboriginal tribes for miles around, some say the land itself was cursed because of the people’s sin. But its history goes farther back than even indigenous oral history can trace and there is still a direct descendant who has been handed the truth, like it or not. Exactly what ties does the land have to the medicine of the ancients? Is it cursed, or is it all superstition?
Wind Over Marshdale is the story of the struggles within a small prairie town when hidden evil and ancient medicine resurface. Caught in the crossfire, new teacher Rachel Bosworth finds herself in love with two men at once. First, there is Thomas Lone Wolf, a Cree man whose blood lines run back to the days of ancient medicine but who has chosen to live as a Christian and faces prejudice from every side as he tries to expose the truth. Then there is Con McKinley, local farmer who has to face some demons of his own. Add to the mix a wayward minister seeking anonymity in the obscurity of the town; eccentric twin sisters – one heavily involved in the occult and the other a fundamentalist zealot; and a host of other ‘characters’ whose lives weave together unexpectedly for the final climax. This suspenseful story is one of human frailty - prejudice, cowardice, jealousy, and greed – magnified by powerful spiritual forces that have remained hidden for centuries, only to be broken in triumph by grace.


Tells us first how you came to faith in Jesus.


This was a long time ago. J I was a University student, living the typical ‘college’ life. (You fill in the details…) My mother, who had been on a spiritual quest of her own for many years and had dabbled in all kinds of churches (read: cults) finally came to a saving knowledge of Jesus when I was a teen. I wasn’t impressed. She never stopped praying, though. While off on my own at University, I worked at a little café in the evenings. The janitor was a rough looking guy – think ‘biker’.  He surprised me one day by pulling out a Bible and witnessing to me during our nightly clean up. (He did this between cigarettes… just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge anyone by their appearance.) Then around midnight a friend from high school who was in town for the weekend came to pick me up. She was a Christian so I mentioned the ‘strange’ conversation I’d just had. We ended up talking till 3am. Later when I was in bed I prayed that if God was real he would give me the desire to get saved, because I was still resisting, but knew it was what I needed. I instantly felt a change and when I prayed the sinner’s prayer I knew it was for real. That was about thirty years ago.

How old were you when you wrote your first real story and what was it about?
This makes me smile. I was in Grade Four and I read a book called ‘Ghosts Don’t Eat Sausages’. I loved it so much that I decided to write a play about it. I convinced my friends to rehearse it at recess time. After several days our teacher wondered what we were so engrossed in. When she found out, she arranged for us to perform in front of the entire school. It was my first time ‘directing’ and my first written play. We even got a full page spread in the yearbook. I think it was at that point I knew I wanted to be a writer and a director.

Where did you get the idea for this book?
The setting for WIND OVER MARSHDALE is based on my hometown of Mossbank. The landscape and some of the history are based in truth. My husband and I have also lived in a lot of small towns so many of the characters are loosely based on real people I’ve met. I want to stress the word ‘loosely’ since I don’t want to offend anyone or have people looking to figure out who is who. J (The really bad people are straight out of my imagination!)  I have an interest in native spirituality as it relates to spiritual warfare, as well as the ancient history of indigenous peoples, so some of that came from there.

What do you want readers to take away from your writing and this book in particular?
My books so far are heavy on redemption and grace. I like to show that appearances aren’t always what they seem. (Perhaps this comes from my background.) I try to write from a place of authenticity and realism, even in the Christian context. This is why some of my work is considered ‘edgy’ in terms of Christian writing. Hopefully, readers come away feeling inspired and perhaps willing to look at others through a less ‘perfectionistic’ lens.

What part of this book did you enjoy writing the most and why?
I just love writing. Period. I’ve been doing it now for over 25 years, much of that time in the obscurity of my own home.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
I’m a fan of two ‘E’s’ - Ecclesiastics and Ephesians. My favorite verse is probably, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”  Ecc. 9:10. I try to live by it.

What are your hobbies other than writing?
I’m a visual artist and I direct an amateur theatre troupe.  I majored in Intaglio printmaking in university, but I mostly paint these days. I try to submit a few pieces each year to a local juried art show, and I just completed a series of acrylic paintings that I hope to use as illustrations for a children’s book I’m working on. As for the theatre troupe, we rehearse twice a week for nine months out of the year, putting on two shows per year.

What is your favorite book by another author and why?
I love Frank Peretti – all of his adult books, but probably my favorite is Monster. He doesn’t mind tackling difficult topics and his characters are always believable in their imperfection.

Where do you get most of your ideas for your books?
I’ve been inspired while walking in nature, listening to music, watching a movie, playing a sport, watching traffic at a bus stop, and even playing the ‘Sims’. Inspiration comes from anywhere, anytime – often in unlikely places.
Out of everything you have written, do you have a favorite and why?
I’ve found the newest is always my favorite. So I guess currently it’s WIND OVER MARSHDALE. A couple months ago it was PLAY IT AGAIN and so on… I’ve got two finished manuscripts that I’m polishing up for submission, so expect a new favorite in six months or so. 

Tracy is graciously offering to give away an copy of her book, Play It Again. To be entered to win, you must be a follower of this blog, leave a comment (with your email address) and post links to the interview on all your social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Your blog, etc.)

Sparks fly when an ex-rock and roll junkie and a stuffy accountant rendezvous at a local resort, but neither are prepared for the emotional entanglements, family complications, and threat from the past that unexpectedly resurfaces. Set in the 1980s, this story brings two opposing forces together in a clash of romance and danger, while its musical undertones highlight the theme that God can turn anything into beautiful music. Play It Again is the much anticipated prequel to Tracy's debut novel And the Beat Goes On. Find out where Mark Graham's journey began in this, the story of his parents. 
About the Author:
Tracy Krauss is an author, artist, playwright, director, worship leader, and teacher. Originally from a small prairie town, she received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Saskatchewan.  She has lived in many places in northern Canada with her husband, a pastor, and their children. They currently live in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada where she pursues all of her creative interests.
Published works include four romantic suspense novels: AND THE BEAT GOES ON, where archaeological evidence for creation comes at a heavy cost; MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER, the story of a ‘cougar’ who takes on more than she bargained for; PLAY IT AGAIN, about an unlikely match during the 1980s rock n’ roll scene; and WIND OVER MARSHDALE, where strong spiritual forces rock a seemingly peaceful prairie town. She also has several stage plays in print. Visit her website for more details. http://www.tracykrauss.com

Other links:

Read an excerpt:
Website: http://www.tracykrauss.com
Blog: http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.comFB: http://tinyurl.com/Tracy-Krauss-Author-FanpageTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/TracyKrausswrtrAmazon: http://www.kraussamazon.com

Purchase links:

Publisher : Astraea press Amazon Barnes and Noble

Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

A very old friend of mine posted this on her facebook wall with regard to the Colorado Massacre:

The Colorado killer used a military-style semi-automatic rifle, shotgun, and pistol bought at local gun stores, and 6,000 rounds of ammunition bought over the internet. He also bought an urban assault vest, two magazine holders and a knife from a online supplier of tactical gear for police and military personnel. When is this country going to stop checking baby bottles at airport security and start tracking our homegrown terrorists? THANKS NRA.

It's a common knee jerk reaction whenever some crazy person goes off the deep end and murders a lot of people with guns. Ban the guns!!! Well let's take her knee jerk reaction to ban all guns and go a bit deeper. All the news reports say that this guy still thought he was in a movie even after he was arrested, referring to himself as the "joker" and spitting at police. Reports also say that he "cheered on" on the bad guys in the violent movies that he watched before his murder spree. He was emulating and acting out what he has seen on the big screen.  It would not be an enormous leap of logic to conclude that violent movies had a significant impact on how he viewed himself and the world around him.  I'm watching the news right now and there's talk of banning costumes in movie theaters. Gee...what a brilliant idea. That oughta stop homicidal psychos from committing mass murder! Give that person a bonus! The guns did not walk into that theater by themselves and kill people, it was done by either a mentally deranged (or demon possessed) person. If he hadn't had access to guns he would have found something else to use like a Swiss Army knife (the weapon of choice of O.J. Simpson) or a butcher knife. Would we then call for the ban of all cutlery on the basis that it could be abused in the hands of a madman? Perhaps if everyone in that theater had been "packing" he would have been taken out after the first shot. I read of a town in Georgia that since the 1980's has required every household to own a firearm and learn how to use it. Their crime rate dropped significantly and they haven't had a murder in that town since then.

I have another suggestion.  Since this guy was so influenced by violent movies like the last Batman, maybe we should ban all violent movies! For that matter, perhaps we should include violent video games and all music that promotes and glorifies violence! You know the old saying: garbage in/garbage out. Oh No! Those in Hollywood would scream (the same people who would be the first to demand a gun ban). That would be a violation of their First Amendment Rights to Free Speech! It's not the fault of violent movies, video games and music lyrics that these people submerge themselves in that cause mentally unhinged people to emulate the violent scenes they see in movies in real life!

We live in a society that is so saturated with violence we are all becoming desensitized and numb to it and then we wonder why people commit mass murders like this. We protect pornography (including child porn) as a free speech right then wonder why there are so many people committing rapes and other violent sexual acts.  Human sex trafficking is at epidemic proportions (see Kathi Macias' latest book: The Deliverer").  We no longer just tolerate homosexuality we are now asked to "accept" it and gay marriage as inevitable and only fair or we are labeled intolerant.  Homosexuality and all other sorts of aberrant behavior are on display everywhere and "in our face" and then the public acts horrified when people like Jerry Sandusky sexually assaults young men for over 20 years while his employer turns a blind eye.  As the Bible states, if we sow the wind we will reap the whirlwind. Well we are reaping whirlwind folks!


We have kicked God (and with Him all sense of right and wrong) out of every aspect of public life and then wonder why He allows horrific stuff like this to happen.  Where was God when that man came into the theater to kill all those innocent people? Which leads me to the title of this post: "Because lawlessness is increased, the love of many (for God) will grow cold. Things are going from bad to worse at an accelerated pace in every aspect of life here on earth.  How cannot people see the hand of God in everything that is going on? It seems we are blind to all his warnings.

Christians, it is time to repent and live holy lives and tell others about the saving grace of Jesus Christ; the coming of the Lord is very near. The signs are all around us. He who has ears to hear; let them hear!

Interview and Book Giveaway with Thomas Blubaugh

Tells us first how you came to faith in Jesus.I came to faith on Dec. 13th, 1970. I had gone through a divorce. After playing basketball in a church league with some nice guys from a church in the community, I met their pastor. He and I became friends. After the divorce, I decided to attend his church. On the second Sunday, I accepted Christ as my savior.

How old were you when you wrote your first real story and what was it about?I started writing Night of the Cossack when I was 63 and it was published when I was 69. 

Where did you get the idea for this book?Both of my grandfathers died before I was born. I was envious of my friends who had grandfathers and I became more interested in finding out about mine when I became an adult. I knew very little about either one. My dad’s dad died when my dad was six, so dad didn’t remember a lot about him. One of the few things I knew about my mom’s dad was that he was a Cossack soldier in Russia. This captured my attention.

What do you want readers to take away from your writing and this book in particular?I have to think on this. My purpose in writing about him was to fill the gap in my own life. As I got deeper in the story, I found I was writing for my children and grandchildren. My purpose was for them to have a great grandfather and great-great grandfather. I didn’t start thinking about the possibility of publishing until the story was nearly done—or at least I thought it was. I joined a critique group and when I was finished, what I thought was the beginning of the story ended up in the middle. I learned a lot. To answer your question, I guess I want people to know that all of our ancestors have a story and it’s important to know their story so it can be passed down through the generations. It’s important to know where we came from. We all need a family connection. 

What part of this book did you enjoy writing the most and why?
I enjoyed writing all of it, but I especially enjoyed reading it when it was finished. Even though a great deal of it is fiction, I felt I knew my grandfather. I also learned a lot about Russian history. I guess the answer is the research of the different countries involved, Russian history and the Cossacks.


What is your favorite Bible verse?There are two of them—Proverbs 16:9, 19:21. These verses freed me to pursue my life without worrying whether or not I was in God’s will.  I read books and listened to tapes trying to figure His will for my life until I came to these verses. It’s a lot less complicated than I was making it.

What is your favorite comfort food?
I eat a lot of popcorn, usually late at night. I’m a night owl. I’m trying to change this and so I’m eating less popcorn now although Barbara, my wife, is growing some strawberry popcorn in our garden. I’ve never eaten any and I’m looking forward to enjoying some.

What are your hobbies other than writing?
I’m not doing so much of it now, but I really enjoy macro photography.  None of us really like insects in our houses, but they are so intricately made by our creator. I love to put an image of them on my large monitor and study them. Many of them are quite beautiful.

How does your faith play into your writing?
I turn that question around and say that my writing fits into my faith. All of my characters have faith in something or someone. My grandfather was a Jew, but his character is a man of faith. My book isn’t a Christian book, but it’s a family friendly/healthy book. The sequel will have more emphasis on faith, in places, due to the geographical locations. At least this is how I see it, but this novel is already much different than I initially planned.


What is your favorite book by another author and why?Actually it’s a series of books by Andrew Klavan—The Homelanders.  He wrote four books of nonstop action, without any language or sex, that kept me turning pages late into the night. These books cover one year in the life of the protagonist. He’s a fascinating writer.

Favorite childhood book?
I wasn’t encouraged to read as a child. I know this is strange, but I read enough of stories to be able to give a book report. I started writing poetry when I was fourteen because I was too bashful to talk to girls. I think Black Beauty is the one I came the closest to finishing.

Which movie has inspired you the most and why?
This is a toughie. I’m a movie nut.  There are a lot that I really like. I like ones that are historical. One I saw recently that is on my list is For the Great Glory with Andy Garcia. It didn’t seem to get a lot of publicity, but it’s a tremendous story of –well I won’t give any of it away.

Where do you get most of your ideas for your books?Most of my writing has been nonfiction—spiritual. Two of my spiritual gifts are Pastor-Shepherd and Teaching.  I can use about anything to teach a lesson. So far, all the fiction is about my grandfather.
Out of everything you have written, do you have a favorite and why?The most humbling work was a joint effort for Barbour Published, The Great Adventure. I co-wrote, under contract, with fourteen other others. We wrote a devotional journal on nature. When I received the first copy of the book, it was so beautiful, I cried. 



Night of the Cossack historical fiction ebooks available at Amazon.com and Barnes & NobleNight of the Cossack historical fiction signed paperback at Night of the Cossack  FREE shipping to address in USA.Night of the Cossack historical fiction pdf file will be available soon.Facebook fan pageThe Write Trail Scribbling from the sometimes creative/sometimes scattered mind of Tom BlubaughTwitter @tomblubaugh
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Quadriplegic Man Walks again 40 Years Later...

My good friend, Henry Newell, is quite an inspiration.  Instead of being embittered against God, he has spent his life telling others of God's love, mercy, grace and miraculous deeds. Here is Henry's story that he typed all by himself: If you have a prayer request, Henry has a great prayer chain going on his Facebook page where there has been many answers to prayer.


SEPTEMBER 16, 1972 is a day that I will relive for the rest of my life. It happened at the Withlacoochee River in Florida, about two miles from my house. It was around 2:30 in the afternoon and I was 14 years old. I had snuck away from the house on my bicycle when I was told I could not to go swimming that day. I met two of my friends on the way to the river as planned, where we had swam many times before. If only I had known what was going to happen that day, I would never have gone! When we got there, there was a man, his wife, and their two daughters swimming. We put our bicycles down, took our shirts and jeans off that we wore over our swimming trunks, and headed down to the river edge and dove in. The water was cool and the current was flowing as usual. We swam back to the river bank and got out of the water. We decided to climb a tree which leaned over the water. We had dove out of that tree many times in the past. I was the first to climb the tree and dive into the water, followed by my friends. We all swam back to the bank and got out. We climbed the tree again but this time we did a canon ball, swam back, got out again. Then one of my friends asked the other if he wanted to dive off his shoulders. He said yes, so he squatted to let him get on his shoulders and then stood up so he could dive into the river. After he dove in he swam back and as he was getting out he slipped back into water because the bank was getting very slippery. I ran and did a cannon ball again off the bank and as I was getting out, I too noticed that it was not so easy. I slipped a few times before I was finally able to climb back up on the bank. The wet clay was sticking to my feet so I rubbed my feet on the ground and remove most of it. My friend asked if I wanted to dive off of his shoulders and I said, “Sure, why not”. So as he squatted down I climbed onto his shoulders and then he stood up so I could dive into the water. Just as I was ready to dive, ITHAPPENED!! My right foot slipped off his shoulder and I fell straight down on top of my head and rolled off into the water. I knew immediately that something was wrong. First of all, there was a tingling sensation all over my body, as though a thousand needles were sticking me! Secondly, I could not move anything. I tried so hard, but nothing would move. I KNEW I WAS IN TROUBLE. My body was not responding no matter what I tried. I was in the fetal position (where your arms and knees are drawn up to your chest), floating face down in the water, drifting with the current. I could not see anything but the black water as the river towed me further and further away! You cannot imagine everything that was running through my mind all at the same time! But the main thing that I was thinking was, “I NEED TO BREATHE!” All of my thoughts changed from what was wrong with me to, “I am going to drown if I do not breathe NOW!!!” I could not hold my breath any longer (your body will take a breath whether you want to or not, IN or out of water). I knew that if took a breath my lungs would fill up with water, but I HAD TO BREATH!! I was so terrified by now because I just knew I was going to DIE!! Just as my body forced me to take a breath, which would have been nothing but water, my friend grabbed me and turned me over. I was finally able to take a breath of air, which felt like I had waited an eternity for! My friend swam back, with me in tow, to where my other friend was waiting to help pull me out of river that had almost taken my life!!! The family that was there swimming took me to the nearest hospital where they said I was now a quadriplegic (you are paralyzed from the neck down and can not feel nothing) and would never walk AGAIN!! That was 37 years ago and I have lived longer than the doctors told me I would. Thank you for taking the time to read this. God Bless. Henry A Gift for Henry…                Henry awakened with a start, his heart pounding and looked around.  For a few seconds all he could do was to stare at the vista which greeted his eyes and then it hit him like a ton a bricks…he was sitting up for the first time by himself since the accident. He opened and shut his eyes slowly several times, the amazing view never changing and then slowly, as if he were afraid he would shatter and break like glass, he bent his neck down and looked at his lower half. Instead of thin, atrophied legs that ignored all of his mind’s commands, there were two tanned and muscular limbs.  Holding his breath…he did something he hadn’t been able to do in decades…he wiggled his toes.                A shout of pure joy issued from his mouth, so loud it even scared himself. “YAHOOOOOO!” Then he did something else he hadn’t done in years…he pinched himself… as hard as he could, right above the hips in the “tickle spot” and practically doubled over with mixed joy and disbelief.
If you would like to read the rest of Henry's wish fulfillment story, as well as that of 34 other people, it is in my book, "Make a Wish".