Francine Rivers's Blog, page 19
September 19, 2014
The Trouble with Pillows
Every now and then, I go out and wander around. It helps me think. Sometimes I window shop. Sometimes I buy. After wandering around today, I came home with two new pillows in vibrant turquoise, hoping they might add snap to the wheat-colored sofas and the other (eight) pillows of subdued colors. Rick’s cheek gave a little telltale tick. “Do we really need more pillows?” Translation: “Time to commit you to the loonie bin.”
September 13, 2014
Changing Times
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship meetings have always been open to any student interested in finding out what Christianity is all about. No one is barred. Nothing is hidden. No one is forced to come and listen or take part in this gathering. No one is coerced. Yet, the California State University system has closed its campuses to this group. Why? Because the college system demanded IVCF open itself to non-Christian leadership.
September 6, 2014
Writing a Book Proposal
I never have figured out how to write a proper book proposal. I’ve gone to classes, read books and seen some great examples. But when it comes down to writing one of my own, I make a mess of it. Where’s the story? I don’t know. I haven’t written it yet.
August 29, 2014
Gym Membership
When Rick and I moved into Santa Rosa back in 2001, I joined a gym because they had an indoor heated pool. I paid up front for three years so I’d have the reduced rate for the rest of my life.
August 25, 2014
Shake, Rattle, and Roll
We live in earthquake country. During the 1989 quake, we were on a soccer field. When the earthquake began, everyone stopped what they were doing. We could literally feel and see the ground roll under us. The goal nets shook. Trees swayed. We didn’t know where the epicenter was or the level of destruction until later. The Bay Bridge sustained damage, the two-level Cypress Structure of Interstate 880 collapsed on commuters. We have relatives who drove that route daily, and the earthquake hit at 5:04 p.m. Thankfully, they were n
August 15, 2014
Computer Crash
Last week, while two of our grandchildren were visiting, I took a little time to answer a few emails. First, my mouse rebelled. It wouldn’t go where I pointed it. Then my icons disappeared. Bloop. Uh oh. The God’s eye nebula background disappeared. Ah, the irony of life. You told the children to leave their electronics home and here you are sitting at your computer. I rebooted and received a message that made absolutely no sense to me. Okay. Reboot again. Maybe the blessed thing will change its mind and come back to life.
August 8, 2014
Metaphors
Some people hate rules. They think God is a kill-joy for carving laws into stone and handing them down to Moses. Stubbornness is in our DNA. So is complaining. Grumble, grumble. God says what? Who cares? We can do it our way, and we try. Read the morning newspaper to see how that’s working.
We need rules.
August 4, 2014
Creative Minds are Seldom Tidy
I had this slogan on a tee-shirt. Another was Tomorrow I Have to Stop Procrastinating. Those shirts have long since worn out. And here I am in that writer’s limbo state again of being between a book recently released and waiting for THE BIG IDEA to come in order to start the next project.
I have an idea! (Actually, I have two, but one is taking over…)
July 25, 2014
Helicopter Parents
Two articles caught my attention in the last few days. One, in a Christian magazine, reported how many college students are losing their faith and leaving the church. The writer suggested that we not even allow our college age kids to leave home unless they are firmly grounded in scripture. The second was a newspaper editorial on how we are raising a generation of over-protected kids. There seems to be a connection here.
July 21, 2014
Killing Time
Rick had to take his car in for service. Rather than sit in the waiting room, reading crumpled newspapers and year-old magazines, we decided it would be more fun wandering around Healdsburg. This is one of my favorite towns in Northern California and was the inspiration for Haven. I mixed things up a bit, moving theaters and schools, diners and hair salons, but the river is right where it belongs and so is the bridge spanning the Russian River.
