Journey on, Journal On

As we journey on with the new year, I reflect upon personal journaling of years past and how I've grown as a writer and a Christian. When I look back at writing from a decade ago, I wonder how I once thought it was such great writing. My voice comes through, and I see the messages loud and clear, but mistakes jump out at me like a I'm proofing someone else's writing. Sometimes, I ask myself, "Did I really write that?" A roller coaster emotional ride tilted my world topsy turvy until I began a closer walk with Jesus. I see how far I've come with writing, but more importantly, I see how far I've come in my walk with Jesus. He's lifted and carried me so many times through this journey we call life. I have a personal relationship with my best friend, Jesus, and I pray my children and grandchildren will develop such a relationship and discover who their true best friend really is.

It's back to work. The holidays are over. On we go with life, work, and being busy, but I'm never too busy to remember God and pray. My prayer for today is that my children and grandchildren will be blessed and learn the power of prayer early in life, that they come to develop a loving, personal relationship with their Savior, and learn to trust Him as the best friend in life that He truly is. Don't walk this hard road of life alone. Let Him support you, uplift you, and carry you through trials on earth. When you hit a roadblock, call on God. He's always listening. He's always there. In Jesus Christ's name, I pray. AMEN.

Happy Blessed New Year--Discover True Hdden Treasures This Year!

Happy Blessed New Year to all. I pray you'll discover true hidden treasures this year and be inspired and blessed to make it a better year by improving yourself personally. There's always room for improvement in writing and in life. Our New Year's consisted of grilled chicken, burgers, and fireworks, and I was able to discuss God, a bit, with a young couple just starting out. I thank God for the opportunity. I made sure they knew I believed in God and put my faith and trust in Him. I also had the opportunity to discuss certain Bible scripture as they happened to bring things up that lead to it. I hope God used me to talk to them, and I hope the poiints got through to them. I pray they'll reflect upon our discussion. I did my part, and I know God will do the rest. I realize I can only lead by example, and I'm striving to show my faith and trust in the good Lord, hoping and praying all my children, grandchildren, and the young couple I spoke with will follow the example I'm striving to set. Invite Jesus into your heart and hurt, the pains and problems you have in your life. He wants to be part of it all. Let Him. You'll discover a true hidden treasure in God's Word and in His Son, the Son who can be your best friend. He's mine. When the young man said he didn't know for sure if there was a God, I firmly said, "I do. I've felt His Holy Spirit and Comforter." I went on to explain to him that I know there is because He's always been there for me when I needed Him and that's how I know there's a God.

God bless you all. Blessings and prayers in the New Year!

Barb

Where are true hidden treasures discovered?

I think of my family and friends as hidden treasures sent by God, but God's true hidden treasure is to be discovered within the pages of the HOLY BIBLE, His Word. After my youngest sister's death, I discovered a scripture that became hidden treasure to me. As the Good Book says in 1 Thessalonians verses 4:16-18, I know I’ll see Mom and my sister again. The New International Version (NIV) of The Holy Bible has one of my favorite verses because it provides peace of mind when loved ones pass:
. . . and the dead in Christ will rise first: After that, we who are still alive and left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

These words are true hidden treasure sent from God to give us hope and joy and encourage us to encourage one another with His Word. May a cloud of peace fill you. As the Kingdom Heirs sing in their new song, "Good News From the Graveyard," Mom and Lisa are not there; the graves are only empty tombs. They're living their heavenly life with Jesus. For those of us who're still living our earthly lives, God's Word, the Bible, is an instruction manual or guide for life. His Word is the true hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Dig deep for your treasure within the pages of the Bible and see what true hidden treasure you discover for yourself.

Blessings and prayers, In Christ,In His Service
Barb

True Hidden Treasures

True Hidden Treasures, my inspirational, Christian fiction novel is completed! I've worked long and hard on accomplishing this task and pray for God to guide me in its publication and outreach to others. I gleaned the idea from previous work in strawberries and the secretarial and teaching fields. The book is purely fictional, though I've gained ideas from life experiences.

With Christmas over, I'm focusing on proofing, editing, and beefing up the novel. I wrote it one way, then another, and I've decided to change it yet again.

Christmas

Fried turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, rolls and butter, banana nut bread, blueberry bread, date bread, and ham. Stuffed more than a turkey. Rodney phoned, and Gail phoned as I was walking into the local Winn Dixie to get milk for baking and dog food. I forgot--cherry cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake, pumpkin pie, sweetpotato pie, and oreo pie. Candy as a gift. Chocolate covered cheeries with peanut butter, another gift. I'll have to diet and exercise to make up for all this food, but thank you Lord for the bountiful blessings you've bestowed on our family this Christmas Day. God is good. I pray all my loved ones in Louisiana had a blessed, safe Christmas, one of joy, peace, faith, and love. Blessings, prayers, and love, Mom

Kingdom Heirs

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of hearing the Kingdom Heirs in concert at Dollywood in Tennessee. My husband bought me a T-shirt that says "Keep Christ in Christmas". I loved the new song "Good News from the Graveyard" by the Kingdom Heirs. As Christmas approaches, I remember the reason for the season and thank God for the opportunity to visit with family and friends I rarely get to see. As I reflect on the Tennesses visit and the new song I heard, I am happy to know Mom and Lisa are in heaven for Christmas. God gives, and He takes away. We are blessed with a new little bundle of holiday joy this Christmas season, little granddaughter named Ava Marie. She's seven months old, and her eyes curiously roam, light up, glitter,glow, and sparkle as much as the lights on our Christmas tree. It's her first Christmas, and she's spending it with us. Thank God for such a precious gift. What freshness and joy she brings. I wrote an article about my own precious gift from heaven, my youngest son, and my choice to answer God's calling as a young mother. Later, in God's own perfect timing, he blessed me with a career, but my job at that particular time in my life was my son. When we follow God's calling, He blesses us. He has blessed me with two beautiful grandsons from my son, and life goes on. Thank you God for the precious gifts of children and grandchildren and for allowing me to live to see my children grown and to see my grandchildren. Lord willing, I'll live to see my grandchildren grow and become a great grandmother. Lord willing, I'll write for His kingdom. Thank you, God, for all the precious gifts you've placed in my life and for all the blessings you continuously bestow. I love you!

Your daughter,
Barb

Honing my Craft

I’m author/educator Barbara Robinson. My training and experience as a writer include graduation from Long Ridge Writing Group’s Basics of Writing Short Stories and Articles for Publication and completion of the Apprentice Program with the Christian Writers Guild. I’ve tackled the Journeyman Level Program and have ten devotionals accepted for publication. Two are online at http://www.mustardseedministries.org/, seven will appear in Devotions, Standard Publishing Company in 2010, and one was published in Words to Write By Author Devotionals compiled by Robin Bayne. I’ve written two books, articles in local newspapers, books, online and print magazines, poems in newspapers and anthologies, won first prize for a short story, which was published in a literary magazine and appeared as a serial in my hometown newspaper, running on the front page with my picture for three weeks in a row, co-sponsored a creative-writing club ten years, sponsored one five years for middle-school students, and authored a column for my hometown newspaper. An article titled “Publishing on Demand? What’s to Gain?” will appear in Christian Fiction Online Magazine at http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/ in March.

This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “Write it in a book all the words I have spoken to you.” Jeremiah 30:2, NIV.

My goal is to write the words God has spoken to me through threads and themes in novels and let God do the rest. I'll continue to be a life-long learner, reader, and writer, honing my craft and striving for excellence for God's glory.

I hope you'll keep abreast of my novel's development. It's turning into a full-length novel of approximately 350 pages, 39 chapters of thought-provoking romantic suspense, a page-turner with characters who'll leap off the page and come alive. It's nearly finished!

Barb

I spent this morning putting the finishing touches on an article about POD publishing to appear in Christian Fiction Online Magazine in March at http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/. I enjoyed working on this article, and it allowed me to realize how far I've come on my writing journey during the past year. Anyone with questions about POD publishing should be sure to read the article. Two successful POD authors recount their reasons for choosing POD instead of traditional publishing. They are both talented authors and gifted speakers, so don't miss what they have to say. I'm working on a full-length novel and having fun with revisions and word play. During Thanksgiving break, I was able to make some headway on the book, and I hope to send out proposals soon. My first three chapters are ready to go, but I have to write the synopsis. Stay tuned to see what happens! Reflecting upon past publishing experiences, I look at writing from years before and cringe. This site allows one to see where I started and how far I've come along the writing road. It's been bumpy, like an emotional roller coaster ride, but it's one I wouldn't have missed for the world. I'm honing my craft and having fun doing it.

Blessings,
In His service,
Barb

Love Finds You in Snowball Arkansas Book Review

Book Review by Barbara Robinson of

Love Finds You in Snowball Arkansas by Sandra D. Bricker is 261 pages of page-turning figurative language with a delicately interwoven Christian message of what real love truly is. The main character Lucy illustrates how we can sometimes miss what’s right before our eyes, if we’re too busy looking elsewhere. From Little Rock to Snowball, Arkansas, Lucy delivers laughs, making readers think about their own fun-filled courtship days. Readers will visualize and laugh their way through the novel, as it keeps them guessing who’ll end up with who until the end when God’s grand design controls the scheme of things and Lucy must face her ultimate choice, Matt or Justin. Will she come to her senses before it’s too late? Check out the reviews of this delightful book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can still order in time for Christmas and provide the readers in your life with a wonderful winter read!


Barbara Robinson
Author
http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com/

Ten Devotionals

I recently realized I've had ten devotionals accepted for publication this year. I attribute this success to taking the Aprentice class with the Christian Writers Guild. I'd never written devotionals before. Until I realized I had accomplished something over the past year, I was feeling down about my writing. God allowed me to see I am accomplishing something. I've decided to take the second Christian Writers Guild class, the Journeyman Level, and Eva Marie Everson who was my mentor for the first one, will also serve as my mentor for this one. For Long Ridge, I had Karen O'Connor, an author of 60 books and over hundreds of articles for both children and adults.Eva Marie was very inspiring and encouraging. She's also a well-respected published author. I'm learning from the best, and I'm excited about continuing to improve my craft.

God's Love is Grander

God's Love is Grander is the title of the devotional recently published at Mustard Seed Ministries, www.mustardseedministries.org. If you're interested in reading it, click on the devotional button at the top of the site. Scroll down past the current devotional, and you'll see the archived links. Mine is the first one archived. I have another archived from months ago.

I'm reading two books at the same time: Love Finds you in Snowball Arkansas. See the beautiful book cover. I will soon post a review of the book, once I've completed reading it. I'm also reading one of the books from my reading list: Fiction Writing DeMystified by Thomas B. Sawyer. I'm on the last chapter of it and will be focusing on completing the romance novel next.

When I left work yesterday, the members of a Christian Athlete Club were gathered in a circle around the flag pole praying, as I've often seen them doing. A member handed me a bracelet that had 3:16 on it. I'd stopped to tell them that I thought they were doing wonderful and discovered that one boy had inspired the beginning, which had grown from only four people. It dawned on me as I was driving home from work that I'd used John 3:16 as scripture for my published devotional at Mustard Seed Ministries. The club had chosen the same scripture for the bracelets they were distributing. What a powerful message!

Love Finds You in Snowball Arkansas

I'm reading this new novel by Sandra D. Bricker. It's published by Summerside Press, Inc. The book is available through Amazon. I'll post again about it when I've finished reading it. I've only just started. I finsihed Jerry B. Jenkin's Riven and started reading a fiction writing book. As you can tell by my reading list, I've read lots of books this year, fiction and books about writing fiction.

I had a phone call from my oldest son, Scotty, who left a message on my cell Monday. When I returned the call, he said he'd been stuck in traffic on his way to work and was thinking about me, so he phoned. This warmed my heart, since I often think of my mom and sister, as well as my four children, when I'm driving to work. I usually listen to an Alan Jackson tape, Precious Memories. My husband gave it to me for Christmas a few years ago, and it's a miracle I haven't worn it out. I also have one of the Startler Brothers. I love the Blackwood brothers, too.

Recently, I was blessed to visit Dollywood while the National Southern Gospel Harvest was in session, and I got to hear the Kingdom Heirs and watch their show. They are a wonderful group, and I love their new song, "Good News From the Graveyard". I want to order their CD. Maybe I'll get it for Christmas. You can put Kingdom Heirs in the search engine and find it! Sunflower got to visit Doggywood while we were at Dollywood, and we had pictures made of her with us. She's my golden Cocker Spaniel, my baby. We usually take her with us when we travel, and she's been to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, all up and down the East and West coast. You might say that she's a well-traveled dog, who travels better in the motor home than the car. She gets car sick in the car, but never does in the motor home. If you scroll way down, you'll see a picture of her looking at us out of the camper window, when we were in Spencer Cove in Tennesse.

I've completed one class through the Christian Writers Guild, and I'm trying to decide if I should take the next one, or work on the actual writing of my book, instead of completing more lessons. I've come a long way on it, and I'm anxious to complete it. I've been reading other books as a writer and learning, soaking up the writing books on fiction as well. I worked on one chapter of my WIP yesterday, revising and polishing it, after it was critiqued by a colleague in the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) group, of which I'm a member. I recently received word from Mustard Seed Ministries that another devotional was being used by them, the one I wrote about the Grand Canyon. It appeared at www.mustardseedministries.org between November 3 to November 9 and was placed in the archives along with others I've done for them.If you go to the site and click on devotionals, you'll see mine as the first archived one.

Have a blessed day!

Barb

Working on my WIP Again

I took some time off from my own writing to read Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins and other books. This week, I started working on my WIP once again. I'm trying something new with it, and I realize how far I've come in the past year. Eva Marie Everson was my writing mentor with the Christian Writers Guild,and she was so inspiring and encouraging. Last Saturday I was in Tennesse and North Carolina. I've always wanted to visit Tennesse in the fall of the year and this was my first opportunity. The trip was so peaceful and relaxing. The gorgeous fall colors displayed God's creativity. We rode the sky lift in Gatlinburg, and the mountains were so beautiful cloaked in red, orange, and yellow autumn colors. We played Hillybilly Golf and rode backwards up a mountain to get to the course. Sunflower even visited Dollywood with us. She stayed in Doggywood while we were in the theme park, and we had pictures made of her with us. Then, we stayed in Wow! What A Cabin, Aunt Bug's cabin rentals. Talk about an awe-inspiring mountain view. We had the best from the deck and from the living room window. This was my first time renting a cabin in Tennesse, but we'd always wanted to. Finally, we did it! I came back feeling renewed and refreshed and ready to write. So, I started reworking my WIP, and I'm making progress.

Then, I had a phone call and found out my youngest son was in an accident on Wednesday. An SUV shoved the vehicle he was riding in into a tow truck and put the trunk in the back seat. Thank God he wasn't killed. He is battling back and neck problems, but he's alive and still here with us. He has a wife and two young sons who are looking forward to Christmas with him, and I'm looking forward to seeing him in December. We live over 700 miles apart and only get to see each other a couple of times each year, usually during the summer and at Christmas. The same is true of my other three children. My daughter who lived in Vegas moved back home, so now they're all together, and I get to see them all when I go visit. Thank God for bringing her back to her family.

This is the son I wrote an article about last November and had hoped to see it published, but it hasn't made it. I've reworked it. I need to resubmit, but I haven't. At least, he read it and knows how I feel about him. Thank God for that.

I'm hearing of so many people who're getting into bad accidents lately. Please slow down and drive carefully with the holidays coming. There's more traffic on the roads.

Finished

I am completely finished with my course through the Christian Writers Guild. This past Wednesday, October 22, 2008, I sat in the St. Cloud Hospital and waited while my husband had tests run. He was put to sleep while they ran a camera down his throat. We have to wait for the results from the tests. While I waited, I read Words to Write By: Author Devotionals coomplied by Robin Bayne. Those devotionals reached out to me and gave me hope, hope to continue writing about the family I love so much and about my hero husband and all he's done for me. Thank you God for my family, friends, and my wonderful husband, whom you sent to my front doorsteps. The devotionals gave me hope to write for God and glorify Him as he so richly deserves. When I reflect back upon my entire life, I can see God's hand working miracles so many times. God is a miracle worker, and I'm praying for Him to work a few more in my life right now. I've been sick with a bad head cold for two weeks. The cold is better in the sense that I don't feel so bad anymore, but the cough still lingers and is so miserable. I talked to the doctor after my husband's tests, and she said the pictures looked pretty normal, but they sent off pieces for tests to rule out cancer. Please pray for our family at this time. Dear God, please touch, bless, and heal our family in its health and spiritual needs at this time. My youngest son is also sick with a cough. I spoke to him by phone yesterday and heard it in his voice and found that over 700 miles away in another state, he sounds much like his mother, since he's coughing, too. The good news is I've finished my writing class, and I'm a believer in God and all He can do. I realize if it is His will, and He so chooses, He will guide and direct me in what He wishes me to write for Him. In His own perfect timing, after much hard work and learning on my end, if it be His will, my writing will reach out and touch and inspire others, as so many other wonderful writers for God have done for others, including me. Jerry B. Jenkins says Riven is his life works. I pray God shows me how through His blessed Holy Spirit to craft a novel that will be a legacy of love for my family, a legacy showing them my love for Jesus and the personal relationship I enjoy with Him, in Jesus's name I pray, AMEN. My writing mentor through the Guild says I have what it takes, and I pray she's right. I begin each morning with a prayer and spend time talking to God. There is power in prayer and God. Wishes don't come true, but God's no fairy tale.

Nearly Finished

One more writing lesson to go, and I'll have completed the writing program I've been working on with Christian Writers Guild. Eva Marie Everson has been my writing mentor, and she informs me that I have what it takes. I pray she's right. I've been down sick with a bad cold, but I made myself complete two lessons, and I've only one more to go. I've finished reading Jerry's book, Riven, and I've found it to be an excellent model for reading as a writer.

Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins with The Christian Writers Guild

Paperwork never ends. It seems like it steadily increases from year-to-year and there's a mountain. There's an old saying that woman's work never ends. So it is with teachers' work. The good news is I just finished reading Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins. What a story he told! I'm nearly through with my Christian Writers Guild classes, so mayble I'll find more time for writing once I complete them. I have only three more to go! My writing mentor says I have what it takes, and I pray she's right. I've been reading different books on writing and put my book on a back burner until I complete my writing class and the reading of the writing books. I've finished reading the books and have built a small reference library with them for writing. I've read Writing a Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, An Introduction to Christian Writing by Ethel Herr, and Creating Fiction edited by Julie Checkoway. After reading these fine books, I can spot areas of my writing I need to revise and improve. Jenkin's novel is an excellent one of illustrating how he moves from one scene to another and switches back and forth to keep the reader hooked. He's also not afraid to hurt his characters. I have written three book reviews for his latest novel. One may be found on Amazon, and I think I have one at Barnes and Noble. I read the Left Behind series years ago. Those books really had an impact on me. I feel Riven, which he deems his life's work, will have an impact on many others. If you're a reader who loves great fiction, check out his new novel! I finished it last week. As you can see, I've been busy reading instead of writing lately.

New Devotional Book for Writers

I'm holding it in my hand and reading my devotional about writing. It's full of beautiful devotionals for writers by many other writers, complied by Robin Bayne. See the picture of the beautiful candle-lit cover. A variety of well-known authors share scripture and quotations they find inspiring as they write. The devotionals reflect all aspects of the writing life: basic motivation, rejection, publishing, and succeeding. Discover the words other authors write by. Look for this new awe-inspiring book at Treble Heart Books! The publisher is Lee Emory at leeemory@earthlink.net. Get inspired.

Back Home

My son and his family left about 3:30 Monday evening to return home. I felt such a loneliness after he'd come and gone. It is always so good to see him, but I miss him even more after he leaves. He made it home safely, thank God. And, thank God, all my children made it safely through Hurricane Gustav.

Now, Hannah, Ike, and Josephine are lined up like bullets shooting toward us and loom on our horizon. The weather has been so bad, on and off, that I've spent little time on the computer.

May God give all in the direction of these hurricanes and tropical storms the protection of His front and rear guard and full coat of armor. Lord, please put a protective barrier around my loved ones in Louisiana, bless them all, and keep them safe in your loving arms. AMEN.

Love and prayers daily,
Mom

Words to Write by Complied by Robin Bayne Coming Soon!

A beautiful devotional, especially for writers, is tentatively scheduled for a September release. More information wll appear as the book becomes available for purchase. My devotional "Why Write even When You Keep Getting Rejections?" will be included.

Psalm 1:44 I was being activated throughout the earth!"Blessed be the Lord my strength,who teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight!"

A week's worth of my devotionals will appear in Devotions by Standard Publishing in Spring 2010. Two devotionals have been accepted by Mustard Seed Ministries. "Reunited," a recently published one by Mustard Seed appears under devotionals on their site.

Once published this beautiful book illustrating how to keep the fire or candle burning, your writing passion alive for God will be available for purchase through Treble Heart Books.

Golden Corral with Youngest Son

My youngest son and his family evacuated from Louisiana because of Hurricane Gustav. We went to the Golden Corral for breakfast yesterday, his treat. I cooked a shrimp, sausage, and chicken gumbo for dinner.My two grandsons enjoyed swimmng and were not worried about a hurricane. I made a short video clip of them swimming with my flip camera. They brought their little dog with them, and he is hyper. My son watched a movie with us after dinner.

No one wants a hurricane, but at least something good came out of this one, and I got to see my son and grandkids. My youngest daughter was supposed to come with two of my other grandchildren, but she changed her mind and stayed behind.I pray the storm doesn't strengthen, and God forms a protective barrier around all my loved ones who remain in Louisiana, including my oldest son and more grandchildren. May God calm the winds and waters into gentle breezes and drizzle without tornadoes.

As I watch the news, a tornado watch is out and there is rotation. My family is on the bad side of the storm for tornadoes. God, please keep them safe. In Jesus' name I pray, give them all the protection of your front, rear guard, and full coat of armor. Let Jesus guide and direct them through life's journey back home to You. AMEN.