Precarious Yates's Blog: Precarious Precipices, page 6

Guest Post & Kindle Fire giveaway

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I love working with my authors and promoting their books! So, in celebration of my new website and to help my authors promote their books, we’ve come together to give away a Kindle Fire! Check out everyone’s books! That’s kind of the point of this whole thing. Then! Fill out the Rafflecoptor!

The World’s darkest creature, will be their brightest hope!

While darkness haunts her, she craves the light. Christina is a demon, but she doesn’t want to be. She is willing to sacrifice everything to change it. Only one person stands in her way, and he will stop at nothing to keep her the way she is.

The greatest battle of light vs dark threatens every living creature, a battle that could destroy all. And the demon in love will only have one chance to save everyone.

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Award winning novelist

A.K. Taylor did something extraordinary with writing this story: Neiko’s Five Land Adventure is a book which can encourage teenage girls to take their lives in their hands. This book can help them to try things which they usually wouldn’t dare to think about. Neiko is a model of courage and power and she can easily be a model for all shy young teenage girls.

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A Hitman with a Conscience.

Assassin Antony Danic has never killed an innocent man. At least the corporation he works for has never given him a reason to think otherwise until now. Reeling from a series of demanding assignments, Antony is desperate for some downtime. As he sits on a beach in Tahiti watching his wife play in the ocean, a messenger from his employer delivers a death threat. Suddenly, the hunter has become the hunted. While Antony struggles to find a way out of his till death do us part contract, he’s faced with the decision of a lifetime: kill another man who may be innocent, or do what’s right even if it puts his family in jeopardy.

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Jewel is a djinni of the lamp, an enchanted slave, bound to her owner by dark magical cravings she can’t resist. She burns for freedom, and when her lamp is stolen—by Tam, a hot and dirty bad-boy thief—she vows to be rid of her new master at any cost. Even as she plots Tam’s demise, the lamp’s dark fascination makes her long to claim him as her own.

But the last thing Tam wants is a spellbound djinni who can’t say ‘no’. Cursed by a demon to suffer living death, he’s tormented by undead longing for pain, pleasure, any sensation he can get. To have this exquisite, besotted Jewel at his bidding is pure torture… because Tam refuses to succumb to her magical allure.

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When a crippled young lord rescues a girl falling from a tree, it reveals a secret about himself and his mother’s side of the family that could put him at the center of a war with beings he thought only existed in fairy tales. Tristan Gareth Smyth lived his entire life stuck at home at Waverly Park, left behind while his Grandfather makes trips to London, all because of his blasted wheelchair. Then an American heiress falls in his lap, literally, and he must find a way to keep her at a distance to protect not only his secret, but everyone around him from an assassin sent to kill him.

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Leonard, a computer programmer, has a unique gift: by words alone he can calm violent situations. Which is helpful with all these kids running around the streets behaving like zombies. He has his own set of sorrows to face, but he’s prepared for anything. Anything except Tamar, and the thunderous inkling that she will be his wife. This doesn’t make any sense to Leonard. She stole his wallet. And his heart.

Painful circumstances ripped family and stability from Tamar’s grasp, but with gutsy tenacity she faces life head on. Meeting the gorgeous and single Leonard changes everything. But surely a guy like him would never fall for a girl of the streets like her.

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KEITH struggles to balance his double-life while attending college and executing missions for VELUZ on the side. The further KEITH delves into the workings of VELUZ, the more he regrets letting them save his life. With each passing VELUZ mission he learns his purpose goes far beyond that of a corporate pawn or mercenary-for-hire. His creation and his purpose are other worldly, not just alien, but something bigger.

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Demon warrior, Slade Aesus, is determined to destroy the werewolves controlling his cousin. But a beautiful elf, consumed by her own vengeance, finds the wolves first. Botching her assassination attempt, Annwyn has the most powerful Packs in the world biting at her heels. Both fiercely independent, can the two join forces long enough to fulfill their missions and stay alive?

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In a world governed by the opposing forces of the mystical House of Tarot and the tribal Great Families, Synn is caught in the crossfire. He witnesses the slaughter of innocent people, and the devastating murder of his father. This act awakens his Mark of power, a Mark greater than any the world has seen in a very long time.

Queen Nix thought she won a great prize when she destroyed Synn’s father, the leader of the strongest Great Families. She had no idea she’d be doubly blessed by capturing his son. However, before Synn can become her treasured weapon, before she can use him to bring the rest of the world to its knees, she must break him and bind his soul to hers.

She does her job with brutal brilliance. Synn’s mind is broken and his soul is seared to hers in an unbreakable bond.

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Your Passion, a guest post by Joshua Bedford

Welcome, Joshua Bedford, and thanks so much for visiting today!

Photo of Joshua Bedford, author

One of the most important things you can do in your life is to find your passion. God has bestowed unto you something which you like to do, and are good at. Some people think they are good at nothing, because that is what the world tells them. You are here for a reason, so never give up what you are passionate about!

Find what you are passionate about and use that activity to glorify God. The Bible says Satan is walking around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He will do his best to convince you that you are not good at something, and you should not do it. Many people would do amazing things with their talents, but they allow Satan and the people of this world to convince them they are not good at, and they shouldn’t do it. Never stop doing whatever you are passionate about, and do it all to the glory of God.

Writing is a thing which many people enjoy. Some people write only because they have to in school or at work, while others write because they love to do so. If you enjoy writing, do not stop.

People may tell you that your writing is not very good, but as it says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” As it says in this verse, if you enjoy writing, then write passionately. Write in a way which would be pleasing to God. Whether you write in a journal, on a blog, or a book, if writing is your passion then that is what you should do.

Your passion may not be writing. If you enjoy sports it may be playing soccer, football, or basketball. It may be playing video games, reading, or serving your community. Everybody has been given something they enjoy doing. The point is, it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do it to the best of your ability, and bring glory to God while doing it.

Being passionate about doing what you love, and bringing glory to God, is what shining for Him is all about. It is not everyone’s life to stand on a stage and preach. Christians are necessary in everyday life, and you can let the light of God shine through you in your everyday activities.

I have written a book to help you on your journey to fulfilling the calling God has given you. No matter which direction you are headed, you are called to shine bright for God (Matthew 5:16). My book, weShine: Foundations of a Strong Walk With God, will help you to have a strong foundation in God’s Word, and start you on your journey to becoming a beacon of light in the midst of the darkness around you.

Find the book here: weShine

Release of BREATHLESS by Sarah Grimm, a guest post

Please welcome with me my guest Sarah Grimm, who is releasing her debut novella, BREATHLESS.

First of all, I want to thank Precarious Yates for being gracious enough to let me post on her blog today. I am so excited about the release of my novella, BREATHLESS.

I’m glad to be hosting you, Ms. Sarah Grimm!
What if one touch could unlock a thousand memories?

Eighteen year old Claire Summers has a rare gift she must keep secret, she’s a Breather—someone who can see other people’s memories by touching an object they’ve touched. When she stumbles across a memory of her friend in danger, she’ll do anything to help rescue him. The problem is, her secret will be revealed. If the wrong people find out about her ability, they’ll hunt her because Breathers are powerful weapons.

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Sarah Grimm

I started writing when I was … well I actually can’t remember not writing. It’s kinda my thing. I love fantasy—epic, urban, sword and sorcery, all of it—so that’s what I write.

The way I look at it, God blesses us with talents and makes us passionate about them so we’ll use our talents. You can learn more about me and what I’m writing on my website: www.sdgrimm.com

Breathless is an urban fantasy. For those of you unfamiliar with whatever that is, it’s fantasy set in a city, sometimes it’s in the future, sometimes present.

The story takes place in a few cities—Podunk towns actually. Yup, there’s a road trip involved, and it’s in this awesome, awesome ride.

Photo by Geoff Lefarth

Yeah, I know.

And for your reading pleasure, here’s an excerpt:

My shoes crushed the thick grass. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Damp, summer air swirled around me unable to cut through the heavy fog. Headstones, cracked and crooked, spread across the grassy hill. I’d been here before. My dreams often brought me to this cemetery. The full moon lit my way down a familiar path. Even though I was dreaming, I was chilly in my tank top and shorts.

I headed toward the tallest headstone on the hill’s crest. No flowers or American flags decorated this soul’s final resting place. I reached out, like I had the other times I’d dreamed this, and I knew what to expect. Before I could touch the stone, my subconscious would pull me back and I’d wake on my bouncing bed feeling like I’d fallen from somewhere high.

The rough stone was cool beneath my fingers.

Three translucent figures walked away from me, passing through the untouched fog. Two men, one held a young boy’s hand, the other followed them. The boy looked so familiar. They walked through the headstones littering the hillside as if they were insubstantial, and then flickered out.

My hand jerked back. A chill skittered across my chest and spread over my whole body leaving me with goose bumps. Heart racing, I willed myself to wake.

I didn’t.

My chest tightened. Was I dreaming or not?  Thunder rolled closer. I backed away from the creepy headstone and stepped on something slippery. Arms flailing, I lost my balance. I landed in the moist grass. Pain shot up my elbow as it connected with rock.

“Back here. Quick.” The whisper turned my blood to ice.

“I’m dreaming,” I said aloud since this was too freaky to be real.

“Dream? No, sweetheart, you’re in a trance. Snap out of it or whatever it is you Breathers do.” The stranger’s voice rasped.

I froze, watching him inch closer. Breather? What was he talking about? My head cleared like a fan turned on and blew the fog from my brain, and I realized my situation. I so wasn’t dreaming. This was real. This was real?

I faced the stranger hiding behind a headstone and caught a glimpse of his rifle. Oh holy night.

Guest Post: Patient Love, sneak peak

Patient Love Sneak Peek
R. M. Strong

Jasmine stood barefoot in the surf. The tide was coming in and the surf was choppy that day. Waves came in, crashing into her legs, and threatened to push her down. As they went back out, protecting her from the worst of the next wave coming in, the waves took out the sand beneath her feet.

Adjusting her footing, Jasmine watched the waves and sighed. She wondered—as she often had when she was in middle and high school—if she stood out there long enough, would the surf bury her completely. The sand was already up to her ankles. She knew from experience that with a few more waves, it would be up to the bottom of her calves. The highest it had ever been had been her knees. That’s when Rory had always pulled her out.

But Rory wasn’t there anymore. He was long gone, and she had no way of finding him. Philip was gone too. He had left her just days before their wedding, and had kicked her out of the apartment they were going to share. Now she had no job, no home, no husband, no money. She had nothing. Her parents were trying to help her through this—they had given her her old job at their bookstore and put her into counselling with the pastor at their church—but they couldn’t make it better.

Another wave hit her legs, followed by another and another. The water this time soaked her shirt, but she had learned long ago how to watch the ocean and had braced herself for those sneaker waves. Even so—and even though the sand had now swallowed her up to mid-calf—she had instinctively pulled her foot out of the hole and balanced herself. She had been foiled once again by her body’s instinctive response. Jasmine pulled her other foot out of the hole and watched as the wave that had nearly knocked her over filled in the deep hole in the sand that her feet had left. More foam rolled over the spot and when it went back out, there had been no indication at all that there had ever been a flaw in the sand’s perfectly smooth slope.

God, why can’t life be more like that? she prayed, watching the surf. Why do we have to hold onto our hurts? Why can’t Your love just simply wash over us and smooth out all the holes? You can forget wrongs, why can’t we?

Her only response, though, was a cold, bone-chilling wind that seemed to come out of nowhere. In her wet clothes, Jasmine began shivering—an inevitability to any visitor to the Oregon Coast. She grabbed her towel and began heading back to the beachside B&B her parents owned. Climbing a set of weather-beaten stairs leading up to a path in the coastal grass, she went upstairs and showered. She had to get ready for work.

Bio: R.M. Strong grew up an hour from the Pacific Ocean, and her favorite childhood memories are the annual beach trips with Grandma and Grandpa. After nearly a decade in Potato Country, she and her family are once again an hour from the shoreline. Patient Love is Mrs. Strong’s fourth book, joining Young Adult novels Karis and Flash and historical fiction What Difference Does Seven Days Make? Patient Love is available now in print and electronically on Amazon and Smashwords. View all of her books at http://rmstrongbooks.weebly.com

Links for Patient Love:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/15mucLG

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1aecPhW

Interview with Indie Musician Paul Belbusti from Mercy Choir

Today I have a special guest, a musician from my home town of New Haven, CT, Paul Belbusti. He’s here to discuss the latest release from Mercy Choir.

Paul Belbusti of Mercy Choir

Hi Paul! Thanks so much for visiting and letting us know about Mercy Choir. Tell us about you. Where do you live and perform most of your music?

I live just outside of New Haven, Connecticut.

When did you start writing your own music?

Probably in high school. I had fooled around on the bass guitar and the drums, and played in various cover bands and heavy metal bands of questionable quality. At some point, I decided I should have an acoustic guitar. It was my understanding that’s what was used to write songs. I took a few guitar lessons, but instead of doing my finger exercises and learning scales, I demanded to be taught the 3 or 4 open chords needed to play traditional folk songs. I figured if I knew those, I’d be able to start writing, which is all I’ve ever really cared about. I still don’t know how to play a guitar solo or a scale. I think my first real original song was two chords (A minor and E minor) and was probably about a girl who wasn’t being very nice to me. Not dissimilar from the songs I write now.

I know what  you mean. One of the only good things about heartache is the art we can make from it. Who were your musical influences growing up?

When I was a little kid, I listened to a lot of my dad’s classic rock records and loved them, but if I’m being truthful, the earliest influence was probably “hair metal” bands like Motley Crue, Poison, and Slaughter. I go back and forth on whether or not I should be ashamed of that. On the one hand, it’s ridiculous and gave me a warped idea of what a musician was supposed to look and behave like. On the other hand, it probably taught me some valuable lessons about pop music structure and the moving parts of a catchy pop song.

How have those musical influences changed over the years?

Then came Nirvana and I was obsessed. Then gangster rap. Then lousy post-grunge, then really, really lousy rap-metal. Then around senior year of high school, I started listening to real music. In my town, Korn was considered underground music, so I had to really dig deep and research to find a band like The Verve or Robyn Hitchcock. In college I started to become obsessed with the Beatles and Leonard Cohen. Then shortly after, I became interested in experimental music.

I love The Verve, and can hear some of their influences in your music (in the best of ways). When you compose, which usually comes first, the lyrics or the music?

They come at the same time, unless I’m consciously trying to write lyrics first, or music first, which are both kinds of songwriting exercises that take a lot of effort, but can be useful.

Describe the feeling when the music and lyrics begin to flow together.

It’s like when a garbage truck is making its way down your grandparent’s street, and you hop on the back, and make all the stops with the garbage men, and then a dog starts chasing you. The wind is in your face and it stinks and you’re being growled at and you feel free.

What a live and electric simile! Wow! I could totally feel that. So Paul, tell us about your most recent work.

So far this year I’ve released a short Mercy Choir album called “Waabaayo”, a 3-song E.P. with Lys Guillorn called “Trouble”, and on September 3rd, I’ll be releasing an instrumental album called “Apostrophe Music.” I also have a split E.P. with a great artist called Xrin Arms coming out sometime soon. And hopefully, there will be another Mercy Choir album finished by the end of the year. Not sure what it will sound like yet.

Congrats on the latest release! How can we buy your music?

The best place to go is my bandcamp page: mercychoir.bandcamp.com

Do you have a website where we can learn about tour dates, updates, etc?

Yes! mercychoir.com

“I Am a Radio!”

I have to share this awesome story:

This morning I did my first interview with a radio station. I chose KVRK 89.7 Power FM for several reasons. First of all, those who listen to the music on this station, if they’re readers, would be interested in the books I write, and the reasons I write them. Second of all, it’s my favorite radio station. Ever. Third of all, it’s my daughter’s favorite radio station. My six year old will rock out to Power FM from 7am until 8:30pm every day. She has it playing in her room and we play it in the car. It plays so often that I’m usually writing with this station as my background music.

When my daughter learned that I was going to meet and talk with Dawn, her favorite morning show host, I was given instructions. Could I please tell Dawn hi, and bring something back from her, maybe an autograph?

At the end of the interview (which you can hear on Oct. 9) Dawn kindly signed her name on a KVRK postcard for my girl, along with a bible verse. Dawn also gave me stickers to bring to my daughter, as well as two CDs.

One of those stickers was immediately employed as part of my daughter’s wardrobe. She tore off the back, slapped it on her shirt and told everyone at Chick-fil-A, “I’m 89.7 Power FM! I am a radio!” And there was a huge grin on her face when she saw the postcard.

My daughter will frequently sing the songs she hears on the is Christian Rock station, and she’ll sing a few of her favorites at the top of her lungs in usual six year old fashion. It turns out that one of the CDs I received as a gift for my daughter has one of the three songs she sings all the time. Made Alive, by Citizens. I’ve got to tell you, only God could orchestrate something like this to happen in the way it did! So all the way home the two of us sang her favorite song at the top of our lungs over, and over, and over, and over, and over again!

And as we sang, the lyrics ministered to both our hearts.

I have to share this awesome story:This morning I did my...

I have to share this awesome story:

This morning I did my first interview with a radio station. I chose KVRK 89.7 Power FM for several reasons. First of all, those who listen to the music on this station, if they’re readers, would be interested in the books I write, and the reasons I write them. Second of all, it’s my favorite radio station. Ever. Third of all, it’s my daughter’s favorite radio station. My six year old will rock out to Power FM from 7am until 8:30pm every day. She has it playing in her room and we play it in the car. It plays so often that I’m usually writing with this station as my background music.

When my daughter learned that I was going to meet and talk with Dawn, her favorite morning show host, I was given instructions. Could I please tell Dawn hi, and bring something back from her, maybe an autograph?

At the end of the interview (which you can hear on Oct. 9) Dawn kindly signed her name on a KVRK postcard for my girl, along with a bible verse. Dawn also gave me stickers to bring to my daughter, as well as two CDs.

One of those stickers was immediately employed as part of my daughter’s wardrobe. She tore off the back, slapped it on her shirt and told everyone at Chick-fil-A, “I’m 89.7 Power FM!” And there was a huge grin on her face when she saw the postcard.

My daughter will frequently sing the songs she hears on the is Christian Rock station, and she’ll sing a few of her favorites at the top of her lungs in usual six year old fashion. It turns out that one of the CDs I received as a gift for my daughter has one of the three songs she sings all the time. Made Alive, by Citizens. I’ve got to tell you, only God could orchestrate something like this to happen in the way it did! So all the way home the two of us sang her favorite song at the top of our lungs over, and over, and over, and over, and over again!

And as we sang, the lyrics ministered to both our hearts.

To the Lilies

You are the theme of His song!

Song of Solomon 2:1

 She

I am a rose of Sharon,

a lily of the valleys.

The first part of this verse, I am the Rose of Sharon, can also be translated, “I am the rose of His song!” alluding to the idea that the Lord sings over us. Which He does (see Zeph. 3:17). The Passion Translation (Brian Simmons, translator) renders this part of the verse in this way:

I truly am the rose of His heart,

The very theme of His song!

And what about the lily of the valleys?

Are you ready to scavenger hunt with me?

Some translators don’t know whether verse one should be attributed to the woman of the song, the Shulammite, or to the man. After years of study I’m convinced it’s the woman, and I travel to the Psalms for the reason.

There are a number of Psalms that have some interesting directional notes. Some say, “To the Director of Music.” Others say, “Do Not Destroy.” And then there are the Psalms that say, “To the Lilies.” You’ll find some translations add ‘To the tune of…” but that’s not in the original Hebrew. What if it’s a dedication? What if there are some Psalms that the ‘Lilies’ are supposed to pay attention to?

To unpack that question we must look first at what it means to be a lily. For that we go to the building of the temple. In 1 Kings 7:19, one of those lovely obscure verses, we find that the pillars in the temple had at the top the shape of a lily.

Why would this be significant?

Let’s look at Revelation 3:12,

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.”

 The lilies, therefore, are those who are dedicated to loving and serving the Lord, and seek to be in close proximity to Him.

 The Lord has some special directives for the Lilies. The directives come from the Psalms. Check out these Psalms that are specifically written “To the Lilies.”

 Psalm 45

Psalm 69

Psalm 80

 Seriously, folks, you could spend years in this! Trust me, I have, and they’ve been some wonderful years of study. And I’m going to share with you some of what I’ve learned about being a lily.

 Psalm 80 is a cry to the Lord for restoration and salvation. The refrain throughout the Psalm is “Restore us, O God! Cause Your face to shine that we might be saved!”

 This is an echo of the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:29:

May the Lord bless you and keep you

May He cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you

May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His Peace.

And so, in response to our cry for God to restore us, He comes and does just that.

 Psalm 69 Shows us what Jesus endured on earth, especially on the Cross.

You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;

all my enemies are before you.

Scorn has broken my heart

and has left me helpless;

I looked for sympathy, but there was none,

for comforters, but I found none.

They put gall in my food

and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

As lilies, we’re called to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. We’re called to be crucified with Christ so it’s no longer us who live but Christ living in us (see Gal 2:20). This Psalm shows us how we can identify with His sufferings.

 Psalm 45 is the great wedding song. The writer of Hebrews (in 1:8-9)  tells us that this is the Father singing over the Son. And if He’s singing this over the Son, He’s also singing it over the bride.

Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:

Forget your people and your father’s house.

Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;

honor him, for he is your lord.

Here, at this part of the Song, we’re the lily of the valley. What’s meant by the valley?

Lilies

 

 It means we’re in the wild and not in a garden. But even in the wild we are beautiful to Him. When we begin to see ourselves the way God sees us it builds a confidence—such confidence that we no longer think of ourselves, but of others and of the Lord. And what a glorious day that is, when we become outward focused instead of inward focused.

 How has God shown His love to you this week?

CrossReads Book Blast: Found Adrift by Pauline Creeden

Found Adrift

By Pauline Creeden

About the Book

Welcome fellow drifter.

I don’t know about you, but I’m easily distracted. If God set me in a rowboat on the water and told me to pay attention and not let myself drift too far from the shoreline, I’m sure I’d be in the middle of the lake before I realized I’d drifted from the shore. Then sitting in the middle of that lake, I’d realize I didn’t have a paddle. And sometimes I feel so far away that no one on the shore could possibly hear me.

Have you ever been there?

If you have ever been distracted by your daily life and suddenly looked up and found yourself far behind where you should be in your walk with God, then you are a drifter like me. This devotional is your paddle.

Found Adrift: 40 Days of Recovering Grace On Kindle

Found Adrift: 40 Days of Recovering Grace in Paperback

About Pauline Creeden

In simple language, Pauline Creeden breaks down Biblical stories and applies them to real life in new ways. Her methods of teaching have brought new light to old scriptures. In her fiction, she creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.

Pauline is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy.

Follow Pauline Creeden

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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This book blast is hosted by Crossreads.

We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Love in the Wild and Beautiful Places

She

16 How handsome you are, my beloved!

Oh, how charming!

And our bed is verdant.

He

17 The beams of our house are cedars;

our rafters are firs.

For a long time these verses made no sense to me. Our bed is verdant? Our rafters are firs? Then I realized what was going on here: they’re experiencing love outside the walls–they’ve taken their love into the wild places.

And how comfortable these wild places are! Verdant means green, which is the word some translations use. To put it another way, beneath you is lush green grass. Does it make you think of something?

He makes me lie down in green pastures. ~ Psalm 23:2

Even when He’s taking me outside of the walls, outside of my “comfort zone” the Lord still provides a soft place in the midst of the unfamiliar and sometimes wild.

I always think of these verses as the Lord taking me through the wild places of my history but in the comfort of His love. Some of us have had a past that’s wild and woolly, or even frightening and painful, but the Lord wants to walk with us through those places in the safety of His embrace. When we realize how beautiful He is and how for-us He is, the journey begins.

This revelation of the verse was very difficult for me at first. Some of my most painful memories were in a forest, so the image of a forest wasn’t at all comforting for me. Then, when I walked through those wild places with the Lord, they became beautiful, even safe, because He was there with me.

The beams of the house are cedars. The rafters are firs. Can you picture the branches overhead? The fresh smell of pine, the unique shape of each tree, the quietness. Suddenly the frightening places are safe places because of the way He redeems.

There are many ways to view this verse. Do you have additional thoughts?