Marilyn Turk's Blog, page 8

And God Sent a Boat – Saving a Writer from Doubt

 

You might not realize that writers have doubts and insecurities, that no matter whether they’re published or not, they question their ability to produce something worthy of a reader’s attention.

Are you familiar with the story about the man whose home was flooded and He prayed to God to save him?

 

First, someone in a rowboat came by and offered to rescue him, but he refused, saying, “God will save me.”

 

 

 

The waters continued to rise, and a motorboat came by and offered to rescue him, but he refused and said, “God will save me.”

 

 

 

Then as the waters rose, he climbed up on his roof and a helicopter dropped him a ladder. But still he refused, saying “God will save me.”

 

 

 

 

So the waters rose over his head and he drowned. When he got to heaven, he asked God why He didn’t save him, and God said, “I sent you a rowboat, a motorboat and a helicopter. What more do you want?”

 

 

Yesterday, I felt like that man, drowning in doubt about the book I’m working on and my ability to write it and do it well. I desperately needed rescuing from my doubt that threatened to drown my creativity. Sometimes we need affirmation that what we’re doing is worthwhile, that we need to press forward, push through the quagmire of insecurities.

So God sent me a boat. Actually, He likes to work in threes, if you haven’t noticed, so He sent me three affirmations. First, I saw a new review on Amazon for one of my books – a wonderful 5-star review that was especially complimentary. Then I received a phone call from a group that wanted me to speak at one of their meetings. And then the mail came and in it was the sweetest note from a reader who had just finished one of my books and wanted to let me know how much she enjoyed it and encouraged me to write more books.

Thankfully, I got the message. God does not want me to drown in doubt. He wants me to persevere to “The End.”

“Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

A Light in a Dark Place

Alcatraz Lighthouse today, photo courtesy USLHS

 

Alcatraz – the name conjures up a dark place, a place of no hope for the prisoners who were sent there. But in the beginning, it was a place of light.

The Gold Rush in California and the subsequent increase in maritime traffic triggered the need for lighthouses on the West Coast of the United States. In response, Congress passed two acts in 1850 and 1851 that provided funds to build eight lighthouses.

 

First Alcatraz Lighthouse, courtesy National Archives

The first lighthouse was built in the San Francisco Bay on Alcatraz Island. The initial building, a dwelling with a lighthouse tower in the center, was first activated in 1854 and managed by a head keeper and one assistant keeper. In addition to the light, the keepers were also in charge of the fog bell which was operated by machinery.

In 1859, a military fortification called the Alcatraz Citadel was also built on the island’s summit. The citadel saw its first use as a prison in 1865 when 39 people in San Francisco were arrested for celebrating the assassination of President Lincoln, their sentence being two months.

 

Alcatraz Lighthouse 1910, photo courtesy National Archives

 

A second assistant keeper was added in 1901 to help maintain the light as well as the second fog horn that was added on the other side of the island. The lighthouse keepers at Alcatraz were witness to the devastating earthquake of 1906 which caused San Francisco to crumble and catch on fire.  From their vantage point, the keepers watched in horror, wondering if the end of the world was at hand. As a result of the earthquake, the lighthouse tower sustained a crack and the chimneys on the keepers’ houses fell into the roof.

The citadel was torn down in 1909, and in its place, a 600-cell prison was built. At the time, it was the largest reinforced concrete building in the world. The new structure interfered with the lighthouse’s operation, so a taller, 90-foot tower was built with new keepers’ quarters attached.

 

 

Alcatraz Prison was a military prison until 1933, when the U.S. Justice Department acquired it and turned it into a federal prison. Through the years, the prison housed many notorious criminals and was the scene of a terrible, 44-day riot that Marines were called in to squelch.

Through it all, the keepers continued to maintain the lighthouse and the two foghorns. The last civilian keeper retired in 1959, and the light was automated in 1963, the same year the prison closed. From 1969 to 1971, during the time a group of Native Americans occupied the island, fires destroyed the warden’s house and the keepers’ houses.

 

Today, despite the turbulent history of the island, the light still stands, still shining across the San Francisco Bay to guide mariners to safety.

During Easter, I can’t help but notice the correlation of Alcatraz Lighthouse to the resurrection. Christ was killed, buried, and thought to be finished, his body put away in a dark tomb. But on Easter morning, He arose, defeating death and the powers of darkness. Like the lighthouse, His light shone out of the darkness, and it still shines today to guide us to safety.

May God Bless you this Resurrection Day.

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

Alcatraz Lighthouse today

The Lighthouse Prisoner-Architect

Macquarie Lighthouse, Aus, photo by Chuck Turk

In 1812, Francis Greenway sat in Newgate Prison in Bristol, England, wondering how his life had come to this.

Macquarie Lighthouse Lantern Room, Aus., photo by Chuck Turk

His career as an architect had been promising, and he’d enjoyed professional recognition for his work. But at the age of 22, he became bankrupt and resorted to forgery by signing someone else’s name to a financial document. He’d pleaded guilty on the advice of his friends, but was shocked to hear when the verdict for his crime was penalty by death.

Somehow his sentence was commuted to fourteen years of “transportation,” deportation to a penal colony. While he awaited his deportation to Australia, Francis spent almost two years in Newgate Prison before traveling across the ocean and arriving in Australia in Feb. 1814. Starting life over, he resumed his trade as an architect, although still a prisoner, having become commissioned by the ship’s doctor to expand his residence. Shortly thereafter, Francis met New South Wales Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who hired him to design several government buildings in the growing colony.

Sydney Conservatorium of Music, formerly government stables, designed by Francis Greenway

In 1816, the governor employed Francis to build Australia’s first lighthouse, the Macquarie Lighthouse. The governor was so pleased with his work on the lighthouse that he emancipated the architect and hired him to be the first government architect of the colony. Francis Greenway went on to design many of the notable public buildings in New South Wales.

Francis Greenway’s story came to mind as I reflected on the past year. Despite his failures, Francis started over, using his gift to the best of his ability, even though he was a prisoner. And he was rewarded for his efforts.

Macquarie Lighthouse, photo by Chuck Turk

So how did I do this past year? What did I accomplish? Did I do my best work? Where did I fail or fall short? If I failed, what was my reason (or excuse)?

And looking forward to a New Year, will I do better?

In the book of Matthew in the Bible, Jesus told the story of the ten talents, how three different servants were given various amounts of money called “talents” by their master. The master then went away for a while, but when he returned, he checked to see what the servants had done with their talents. He praised two of the three for putting their talents to good use, but he condemned the one who didn’t do anything with his talent.

His words to those who pleased him was, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23

What this story tells me is that God expects us to develop and use whatever gifts or talents we have been given and not waste them. When this year is over and when my life is over, I hope to hear God tell me, “Well, done, good and faithful servant!”

Will you use your God-given gifts this year?

Macquarie Lighthouse, Aus., photo by Chuck Turk

 

Christmas at the Needles

Needles Lighthouse off the Isle of Wight, UK

Over the past five years, I’ve gained somewhat of a reputation as the “lighthouse lady,” the one who blogs about lighthouses and puts them in her novels. I’m by no means an expert, but I do love lighthouses and love to research them. What I really love, though, is learning about the lighthouse keepers that took care of them 24/7, year after year. Very few lighthouses are still kept by humans since automation has taken over the lights, however, there are still a few people that used to be lighthouse keepers, and I’ve been especially privileged to get to know them.

One such lighthouse friend is Gordon Partridge, who was a  lighthouse keeper in the UK for twenty-two years (1974-1996). Gordon recently shared with me what Christmas was like when he was keeper at the Needles Lighthouse off the Isle of Wight. It is so special that I wanted to share it with you.

I was privileged to serve on Needles Lighthouse,one of England’s best known and an icon of the  Isle of Wight. My appointment lasted for just over six years during which time I was on duty for four  Christmases, the memories of which have happily endured in my mind ever since.

The Lighthouse was “adopted” by the nearby Royal Lymington Yacht Club who  generously, through their Clubhouse collection tub, raised much funding for “Lighthouse Comforts,”  amongst which were a stereo music centre, subscriptions to various publications, i.e. The Quarterly,  This England mag and others. Also on their list was to provide festive cheer for those on watch over  Christmas, their kindness and generosity was overwhelming.

Usually, on the weekend before the actual Christmas, a fleet of RLYC craft, of all shapes and  sizes, would sail down the Solent to the Lighthouse. Some 80 to 100 vessels would standoff and  sing carols to us, weather permitting, the local Vicar would land and administer prayer to us. A senior  member of the Club Committee would accompany him and deliver a sackful of cards and various  cases of Christmas cheer, festive food, and often a bottle or two of the “hard stuff!”

I will never forget the atmosphere of song resonating across the water from the the assembled  floating throng, who, for an hour or more, would offer a concert of favourite Christmas Carols and  music which warmed our hearts with genuine Christmas love and peaceful wishes.

My heart is warmed whenever I think back, and I thank those people for their thoughtfulness and  love from across the water.

We too should offer our greetings and welcome hands of friendship from across our waters.

That being so, I wish you and yours, a very Happy and Healthy Christmas. God Bless.

Gordon

May you all have a very blessed Christmas!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14 (KJV)

 

8 Reasons Writing is Like Playing Tennis

 

Last weekend I watched a professional tennis tournament. As a social tennis player, I was amazed at the difference between how the professionals play and how I play I’m sure that most of the spectators shared the same thought I had, “I wish I could play like that.” But then the absurdity of that thought hit me. There are several reasons I don’t play like they do, and many of those reasons could apply to writing as well. Comparing my tennis game to the pros is like comparing my writing to that of best-selling writers. And this is why:

Professional tennis players weren’t born professional. They developed their skills over time. Writers too, don’t usually start out writing best sellers. Writing skills must be developed over time. Professional tennis players have been playing much longer than I have. Most best-selling writers have been writing much longer than I have too.
Practice, practice, practice. Professional tennis players practice every day. They know that if they want to get better, they must practice. For the same reason, writers should write every day.
Professional tennis players try to improve their game. They don’t just play, they try to get better at their sport. In the same way, writers need to try to improve their writing.
Professional tennis players listen to their coaches. If a coach tells a player what they do wrong, the player tries to correct. It. Writers have editors and critiquers who tell them what they do wrong, and how to correct their writing. Only by making the changes will a writer improve their writing.
A tennis player who wants to increase their ranking must stay focused on the game and not be distracted by things going on around them. Writers, too, need to shut out the distractions so they can focus on their writing.
Professional tennis players know their commitment means they must give up other time-consuming habits to play tennis. Writers too, must give up other things, for example, TV, that takes time away from writing.
Tennis players sometimes lose games, but they don’t give up. Writers get rejected, but maintaining a positive attitude is essential to progress.
Tennis can be lonely for these professionals who travel often, so they bond with other tennis players. Writing too, is a lonely activity, but developing relationships with other writers builds support and camaraderie.

 

 

To summarize, to be a good tennis player requires dedication to the goal. Good writing also requires staying dedicated to the goals of finishing,      improving, and succeeding. If I want my writing to be as good as top writers, I must be willing to make the investment they make. If not, my writing  will never get any better, and I’ll have no excuse to say, “I wish my writing was as good as …………”

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

 

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Valuable Hobby

 

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Maine, Photo by Chuck Turk

If Gus only knew…

A lighthouse keeper’s job can be a lonely one, especially if it’s on a stag station – one that doesn’t have room for families.

Such was the case at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse at South Portland, Maine. The spark plug-type lighthouse was built on a cylindrical cast-iron caisson in the water, marking the dangerous ledge that had claimed many vessels entering the shipping channel into Portland Harbor. Responding to steamship companies who petitioned for a lighthouse, the federal government finally gave its approval in 1891.

First lit in 1897, the 54-foot lighthouse had a storeroom and cistern in the basement topped by four levels including a keeper’s office and two levels of living quarters.

Although keepers had much work to do, there were times when they could relax. Some read, some played board games with the other keeper, some fished. Some even attempted to get some exercise, like running 56 laps around the main deck to complete one mile.

Gus Wilson, light keeper

Gus Wilson carved during his spare time. Wilson arrived at Spring Point Ledge Light in 1917, bringing his hobby with him. During his twenty years as a keeper, he whittled thousands of birds – duck decoys, shorebirds, seagulls and songbirds. He also carved a variety of animals. His decoys were especially known for their detail and their unique head and wing positions, making them distinctively different from those created by other decoy carvers.

 

While serving at Spring Point Ledge Light, Wilson sold many of his decoys for 75 cents apiece to the Walker & Evans sporting goods store in Portland. In addition, he gave quite a few to his friends.

 

Around 1940, Wilson’s decoys gained popularity and became collectors’ items. Some became museum pieces while others were sold at auction.

Gus Wilson died in 1950, so he didn’t live to see how high the value of his works appreciated.  In July 2005, one of his decoys found in a Cape Cod barn was sold for $195,000. In April 2006, two Gus Wilson decoys were discovered in a fish shack and sold for $148,000 and $150,000, respectively. In 2008, another of his special decoys sold at auction for $125,000. Pieces of his work are now on display at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

 

Gus Wilson’s hobby brought him satisfaction, yet he never expected it to bring great wealth. Wouldn’t he be surprised to know the value others placed on his handiwork?

 

“From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.” Proverbs 12:14

 

 

*In 1951,  a 900-foot breakwater was constructed of 50,000 tons of granite blocks, connecting the lighthouse to the shore.

Breakwater being built to Spring Point Ledge Light, 1951

Lighting the Way by Land and Sea

Moose Peak Lighthouse (Mistake Island) Photo courtesy T.Bruce Jeffries and lighthousefriends.com.

One day in 1905, the MacDonald brothers, both ministers, stood on top of Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island, Maine.  As they scanned the island-laden coastline, Alexander suddenly slapped his brother on the shoulder and exclaimed, “Angus, what a parish this would make!”

Alexander MacDonald, Seacoast Mission founder

A sturdy man unafraid of hard work, Alexander was determined to make the parish a reality. While still in college, he had taught in small coastal and island schools, becoming familiar with the struggles of remote communities isolated by lack of transportation and communication.

The brothers knew life was tough on the islands, especially for lighthouse keepers’ families that had very little education and no health care. The MacDonalds’ dream was to provide needed services to these people.

To aid them in their efforts, the brothers contacted other coastal pastors, as well as, summer residents for support. The response was “most hearty, for all recognized the great need of such work,” according to one of the early mission bulletins, and the Maine Seacoast Mission was established.

 

 

Sunbeam I

The MacDonalds purchased a sloop named Hope and began sailing to nearby islands. The following year a Bar Harbor summer resident donated his motor yacht to the ministry. Named the Morning Star, the “staunch little launch” captained by Alexander MacDonald, cruised the coast during the summer. The brothers organized Sunday Schools, held church services, and cared for the sick. They also helped secure better public schools, started a circulating library and distributed literature.

Alexander MacDonald wrote, “We have storms, fogs, adverse winds, and strong tides to contend with, but our warm reception makes us forget such difficulties. I am ever grateful to the many friends who make this mission possible. My aim is to build so that others can continue to build on the foundation now being laid, so that the people all along the coast may be uplifted socially, morally and spiritually.”

The determined minister petitioned state agencies and charitable organizations for textbooks and teachers, medical equipment, money, and volunteers. In 1912, another Bar Harbor summer resident donated $7,000 to build the first mission ship, a 57-footer. The daughter of the lightkeeper of Moose Peak Lighthouse on Mistake Island chose the name Sunbeam for the new boat, a name that signified the cheerful trust the islanders felt toward the Mission.

The new ship was better equipped with berths for emergency runs to mainland hospitals. Its durability allowed MacDonald to expand his time on the water beyond the summer season, reaching light stations and as many as 300 islands that were occupied year-round. “Mac,” as he was called, performed marriages, funerals, and Sunday services in his pastoral role. But beyond that, he brought the latest news to lonely islanders; encouraged them to plant gardens to improve their diets, often bringing them flour, vegetables, and meat. To care for their medical needs, he transported physicians, nurses, and dentists to the islands and carried the seriously ill back to mainland hospitals.

 

In 1916, the Mission hired a teacher for the children living in the many lighthouses along the coast, and the Sunbeam served as their classroom. I

MacDonald also began a tradition of adding Christmas gifts for island children to the Sunbeam’s cargo. When he died in 1922, brother Angus MacDonald stepped in as supervisor and the society established its first dedicated headquarters in Bar Harbor. The mission continued to meet the needs of islanders, helping to bring telephone service to the far-flung islands.

In 1926, Sunbeam II was launched, replaced by Sunbeam III in 1939, the society’s first fully year-round boat, fitted for ice-breaking and equipped with accommodations for overnight stays, emergency transport, and dental clinics.

The steel-hulled Sunbeam IV was launched in 1964 and was replaced by the current ship, Sunbeam V, in 1995.

Sunbeam V, Captain Michael Johnson

Today, far less people live year-round on Maine’s islands and technology helps make living conditions better than they once were. However, the Maine Seacoast Mission continues to carry on its tradition “lighting the way by land and sea,” making life better for Maine’s coastal communities. “We respond to needs and concerns as we see them,” says Mission President Scott Planting.

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

For more information, visit www.seacoastmission.org.

 

 

Christian Writers Retreat March 22-25, 2017

Blue Lake 2017

It’s not too early to start planning to attend the Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat!

Do you think God has given you an urge to write, a story to tell?

Or do you write now, but want to improve your skills or find inspiration to continue?

Would you like to meet experienced, published writers who can give you advice or motivate you on your writing journey?

Then Blue lake Christian Writers Retreat is for you!  Check out the website at bluelakecwr.com, and see what the retreat is all about. We’re still finalizing the classes and faculty, so there will be more information added.

But I’ll let you in on a little secret: IF YOU REGISTER BEFORE JANUARY 11, 2017, YOU’LL GET 10% OFF!

Why don’t you get one of your friends to join you as a roommate and share the experience. You won’t be disappointed!

Want to Buy a Lighthouse?

Penfield Reef Light, CT, photo courtesy lighthousefriends.com

Now’s your chance to buy something you’ve always wanted – a lighthouse!

Yes, right now, there are seven different lighthouses up for bid.

So how do you buy your own lighthouse?

Under the provisions of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, the General Services Administration (GSA) of the United States has the authority to transfer excess Federal property to individuals or groups. Normally, the GSA will first offer lighthouse property to the state where it’s located or to a non-profit historic preservation group. When neither of these recipients is interested or unable to afford the upkeep and management of the lighthouse, the GSA will auction the property to the highest bidder

*At this time, these properties are being offered for bid:

Southwest Ledge Light, CT, photo nps.gov.

Penfield Reef Lighthouse – Established in 1874, this 51-foot tall octagonal light structure is attached to a square two-story keeper’s quarters building, and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After damage from Hurricane Sandy, the lighthouse was restored with a new roof, new cornice and built-in gutter, hurricane-resistant windows and stainless steel exterior doors. This property marks a submerged reef at the south side of the Black Rock Harbor entrance on the Long Island Sound, off the coast of Fairfield, Connecticut.

 

Southwest Ledge Lighthouse – Built in 1877, the property is a 45 foot, three-story cast iron square structure resting upon a cylindrical tower. The first story has a living room, a sitting room and a kitchen, and the second level has two bedrooms. This attractive lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and will remain an active aid to navigation after the sale.  The lighthouse is located offshore in New Haven Harbor, New Haven, Ct.

Green’s Ledge Light, CT, photo courtesy The Lighthouse People

 

Greens Ledge Light –  Greens Ledge Light, first lit in 1902, is in Long Island Sound near Norwalk, CT, and warns marine traffic of a dangerous reef below. This “spark-plug” style lighthouse has a four-story keeper’s dwelling topped by the lantern room with an automated light. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Other lighthouses up for bid are Gray’s Reef Light in Lake Michigan, White Shoal Light in Lake Michigan, Minneapolis Shoal Light, Michigan, near Green Bay, and North Manitou Offshore Lighthouse in Lake Michigan.

White Shoal Light, MI, photo courtesy lighthousefriends.com

 

If you want to go see these properties, you’ll need a boat because they’re all offshore, some farther than others.  And if you’re interested in bidding, you can get more information at www.realestatesales.gov. But keep in mind, they all need restoring which means a lot of work and money. But unless they’re sold, the buildings will deteriorate unless the US Coast Guard decides to demolish them and replace them with a light on a platform.

 

It’s possible for people to feel like these lighthouses – forgotten, abandoned, and in need of restoration. But thank God, we aren’t. Because God has not forgotten us or abandoned us and He alone can restore us. Just ask Him.

 

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut. 31:8

 

 

 

* The deadlines for bidding on some of these may have passed by the time of this posting. Check the GSA website for current status.

To Change or Not to Change (To Edit or not to Edit)

“Get fabulous flat abs in only 16 minutes a day!”

Wow, only sixteen minutes? Why, that sounds easy enough. I’m sure I have sixteen minutes to spare. The girl in the photo sure has flat abs. Maybe if I spend sixteen minutes a day, I’ll look like her too. So I look at the miraculous exercises. Um, no. Only a twenty-something year old masochistic contortionist could do those. Guess I won’t get those flat abs.

“Eat these foods for younger skin.” Well, I’d certainly like to have younger skin for this older body. So I look at the foods suggested.  All right, out of the ten foods shown, I’ll eat maybe two of them. The others I’ll have to pass on. And I’ve been eating those two all my life, so is my skin younger than it may have been if I hadn’t eaten those foods?

Or maybe I can try one of the newly-discovered rare fruits that was just found on a tiny island off the coast of Bora Bora and is guaranteed to melt cellulite. Finally I can get rid of my cellulite! But when I find out that two ounces of the fruit’s pure serum is a mere hundred dollars, I must resist the urge to buy. No doubt next year the fruit will be known to produce warts and orange skin making the user resemble a poisonous toad.

Yes, everyday, there are offers that promise to change my physical appearance or make me stronger or smarter, but most of them I will decline. So does that mean I don’t really want to change? No, but I can choose what changes I am willing to make or not.

As a writer, my work is edited and critiqued by others. At first, I chafed at the suggestions to change what I’d written. But I’ve learned to pay attention to those suggestions if I want my writing to be the very best it can be. I’ve changed my attitude and opened my mind to what others notice that is missing or wrong. However, I can accept those changes or I can reject them. I don’t have to accept all of them, nor should I reject all of them. I can choose which ones to change or not.

With my physical body, I’ve learned what I can do to improve and I don’t have to change everything and try everything. I can choose healthy foods over unhealthy foods, and I can add more exercise to my normal routine.

In writing, change can be good. It’s a choice. So choose wisely, my friend, because no one wants to look like an orange toad.

 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)