In whom or what do you place your trust?

  Lately on the news, there has been much discussion about our freedoms in many areas of the American landscape. The right to "chose" many things in our lives like, what insurance we have, what religious beliefs we wish to follow, what person to vote for, are all those things that we think are our right to do without government intrusion. At least for some of us Americans. For others, some wish to place their trust totally and entirely in the government for almost everything, thus becoming ideological slaves to an ever changing entity that may not have the best interests for them at heart.

  In the Curse of the Eraser series, the Palmer family have always placed their trust in what the Founding Fathers adhered to- God. After reading the books, some would say that this was out of necessity and others, because of choice. What is evident, is that they were placed in their position by "them" through the curse. Isn't it odd how God draws people to Him? Sometimes then, therefore, curses are blessings. Cursed to follow God is, indeed, a rare occurrence. But for these Pilgrims, the only way to live life, trusting in a benevolent God to keep them safe, provide for them, and secure them eternal life by salvation in His Son. Were they forced then to do this? No, it was of their own natural volition, a divine plan, and one of- faith.

  What is the difference then? Between faith and trust? Trust for the most part requires something tangible. Faith, requires nothing of the sort. It is blind. As Hebrews eleven states;  "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." That is the kind of trust and faith the Palmers of Madison County posses. Trust that the Lord provides for them in mighty ways because of what they see and faith that He will continue to do so- no matter what happens to them. This all- not because of the curse of a mason, but because of the curse of a man- Adam. Because of the curse of sin, the Palmers knew they could never do what was required of them according to the laws of God. They relied on the fact that their ancestors brought them to the one and only possible solution to both curses- their trust and faith- in Christ. No matter what happened to them, that was what, no- whom they placed their trust in.

  Whom or what do you place your trust in? Where is your faith? In the tangable or in that which you cannot see? 

What will I be when I grow up?

    What will I be when I grow up? As children that seems to be the eternal question. For the protagonists in the Curse of the Eraser" series, this question never really comes to mind. By the time they are ten years old, they already know the answer to the question. Sure it is that they will be farmers, tenders of livestock, and arborists in the realm of this world. I say it never comes to mind because, first and foremost, they are Keepers- of The Eraser. It was a role that cold not be dismissed, nor changed in any way. It was an impossibility, due to the curse, and if anyone tried to change it they would suffer consequences. Those being- life or death.

   However, in the heavenly realms, the world of the spirit, the church universal, each of them will always be- sinners. When life is lived amongst those whom you love, insulated in the community of faith, protected by the heavenly hosts, it seems easier to remain in harmony within that community. But when the two worlds collide, it becomes ever more difficult to retain that peace and harmony only God can give, especially when there is an Eraser involved.

   As each generation of Palmers grew it was easy for the parents to see whether the apprentice Keepers would be able to handle the coming job at hand; if they would use it properly; if they would fear it, hate it, and not use it in evil. The entire life of the Keeper was therefore dedicated to learning how to follow the tennets of God and use the Eraser wisely. Because even though they may grow up to be excellent Keepers, they would always like the generations before them be- sinners.   

   It gives the phrase "What will I be when I grow up" a whole different meaning. We are always sinners, even when we grow up.

Pilgrims

  Here we are in the new year- 2012. I wonder what will happen? Will everything on God's green earth remain the same like so many years before or will this be as the Mayans possibly thought- the end of time? Either way, I am content, because as a Pilgrim on this globe, I am blessed. Blessed to live in a time where the Gospel is heard in more places than ever and blessed to possibly someday see the culmination of God's divine purpose with the return of His Son in glory.

  So, here we are in a new year. When I began writing the "Curse of the Eraser" series, I never dreamed that it would be four books long. I've found that it takes time to complete a train of thought; to finish what you've started. Book four finally does that. It began with a different title. It was first called, "The Keepers" after the two protagonists. But after looking at how the book and series would finally come to a close, another title seemed more appropriate, more profound.

  "The Pilgrim's", which the Palmer name means, speaks of the a new era, a new time of sojourn for the Palmers, who had moved on to a better place in coming to the New World, so long ago. Therefore, they were not new to change, for things always changed for them. The curse made change necessary in their lives and the lives of those they touched. Which road would they travel? Would they take the path to destruction or the road to eternal life? Would the curse ever be broken?

  To give you an update then, I am currently editing the entire series to the best of my ability and then, it will be time to send out mass mailings to push the series. Now is the time. Now is the New Year. I, like so many coming to this New World am faced with something new. A new frontier that must be traversed in order that the "Curse" should be known. God be with us all this 2012.

"It's been a long time a brewin' "

  It's been a while- I know. I have been so focused on writing the last book of the Eraser series I have been neglecting to keep up the "keeping up". I'll tell you this, I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this last book. To carry the Palmer family as far as they have gone has been a wonderful challenge. It has also been time and emotionally exhausting. I say this because of my trek out to see a friend after church today. I should be content even though it is so.

  My friend is 93 year old, Verlan Ferrar. I'm her elder from church- even though she is 33 years my senior. Within the past six months her life has changed dramatically. She has been an example to me today once again. She has listened to approximately 150+- of my sermons; complimenting me on some; not saying a word about others. That I have never cared about. What I have cared about was the fact that she has been an example of God's grace working amongst us- specifically me. Today she solidified that in my mind, showing me that life is what you make it- no matter what the circumstance.

  Todays' bulletin cover has on it "Rejoice", a theme from the Christmas season. What I saw today was her lack of remorse or sadness for the radical changes the fall she had last summer has brought upon her life. She seemed content to know most of her things had been disposed of in different manners- mostly sold or given away. She seemed content that her foot had taken all of this while to mend from the break and that maybe next time she saw the doctor she could get rid of the ankle brace. She seemed content to know she would never return to the facility she had been living at before the fall and she would be in a nursing home the rest of her life. She seems- content.

   Therefore, once again, I have learned. I have re-learned that I should slow down and not worry about how long it takes me to finish the series and get it published. It may or may not ever be that. So in the mean while I am content. Content in knowing God is with me, just like He is with my friend, Verlan.

  Thank you, my friend.

Eraser Updates

  Let me start out by saying that I don't like or want to do what I'm about to do in my blog today. That is- give an "update". For those of you that have written a book and even for those of you who have not, a book is constantly being revised until such time as it finally goes to print. It is as much a work of art as a painting or sculpture, but easier to "Erase" so to speak.

  All this being said, I 'd like you all to know that I have indeed split my original manuscript in two, with the works now being, "Curse of the Eraser" and "The Keeper". More people have now read them and the majority have given me the personal satisfaction in saying a job well done. And to be honest, there have been one or two that didn't have their toes curled or crank turned by it, but that's to be expected. You can't please everyone or so they say.

  I have now completed the next book in the series called, "The Keeper's Son" and have had my first reaction to it. The good news is that she found it every bit as good as the first two, and for that I am grateful. So, if you have any interest in reading any of them, let me know if you can handle reading them on a computer or a reader that supports PDF files. And if you do, I'll send them to you on one condition- if I get them published, you have to promise to purchase the series. Autographed, of course! ;)

  Up next time- "The Keepers" the final book of the Eraser series!

It's hard to be prophetic.

  In the Old Testament, the standards for prophets were rigid. Basically, get it wrong- the prophet dies. Today, those standards have been modified a tinsy bit, much to the delight of modern day self -proclaimed prophets. No death for all those who predict things, such as, the end of the world, or the return of Christ. They and their followers merely fade away until such time as they try to do it again.

  In "The Curse of the Eraser", the thin thread of the progression of the New World Order is there, woven into the fabric of the story of a family determined to keep it from happening. The story is not prophetic in the least, but let me say this, it hints at what is to come in the coming series. Yes, that's right, I predict there will be a series of books in the saga including somewhat prophetic insights into the New World Order. I can say that with confidence because I am now not on the second book, but on the third. That's right, due to the recommendations of a friend who holds a degree in English and has taught at the college level, I am seriously considering making my first manuscript two works instead of one, only because of the current market's demands. I will split it up if a publisher finds that more palatable, but if I determine to self publish, I will do it as one. Either way, the story will be told and I will be ready.

  So if you're looking forward to seeing why the New World Order has been subjugated until this time and how it will turn out, I urge you to help me find a publisher or the $$ to self publish. Until then know this; It's all about the Eraser.

 


 

The Christian Life

 When I began the novel, "Curse of the Eraser", I intended it to be a reflection of Christian living. It is that for sure, but to market it as such has become problematic. I know why and that is because it is too, "Real". Let me explain.

  For those who are not Christians, they struggle with the everyday issues, too. For instance, alcohol and drug addictions, promiscuous sex, abortion, homosexuality, etc. These people compare their actions to those around them and an arbitrary scale that changes with the times and seasons. But for those of us who are Christian, we have a different scale we use and that is the Word of God.

  I wrote the book using realistic circumstances of the lives of everyday Christian people. People who struggle with all of the above and much more. People like David and Bathsheba, Cain and Able, Joseph and his brothers. People from the Word of God. The characters in "Curse of the Eraser" feel the trauma of sin just like these people of old and maybe even more so, now that the Christ has revealed the Kingdom to us. That all being said, I have been told that it would be difficult to market my work because it is too "worldly" for the Christian publishers and too "Christian" for the secular publishers. That's a difficult place to be in.

  This is what I've got to say about that: Tough! The Christian publishers need to pull their heads out of the sand and understand that people sin. The secular publishers need to know that we Christians live just like everybody else, except for this, we know the Savior. And because we know and love Him, we live our lives for Him and to His glory. And if we do sin we have and Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous One.

  So, if you ever do get to read "Curse of the Eraser" on your Nook or Kindle, paperback or hardbound, know this; you'll be reading the lives of real people in a daily struggle, just like everyone else. Sola Deo.