tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370963392024-03-19T04:35:27.228-05:00Cherish the JourneyFor I am full of words, and the spirit within compels me...-Job 32:18-19Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-37959901247604190292008-02-28T14:50:00.002-06:002008-02-28T14:52:39.047-06:00On the MOVE!!!Ladies and Gents,<br /><br />This Blog has been moved over to my website: <a href="http://www.valeriefentress.com/">www.valeriefentress.com</a>.<br /><br />Hop on over to continue watching the blogging grow, and my writing blossoming right under my nose.<br /><br />Happy Blogging!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-78736563308432523662007-12-31T11:25:00.000-06:002007-12-31T11:33:56.259-06:00Finished, Fineto, Done, Complete....YAY!Goodness....I didn't think I would get it done. But I have with hours to spare.<br /><br />I had set a goal to finished my manuscript by the end of December, and considering today is the last day I am Relieved, Joyous, Thankful to say it is finished!<br /><br />WHAHOO!<br /><br />Granted I know the work is not completely done on this little bit of 90,000 words, but the word count and meat of the story is all fleshed out. I can't believe how much this story has grown, changed and developed ever since I got back from the Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference this last March.<br /><br />Now it's time for a little break (31 days exactly ), before I start polishing things up for the agents and publishers that will be at Mt. Hermon this March.<br /><br />WHEW....I think it's time for my brain to veg.<br /><br />Happy New Year!!!!!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-60534191534582107062007-12-12T10:46:00.001-06:002007-12-12T10:47:16.657-06:00Wordless Wednesdays<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWk6bu3hfMNdYiYRoMzGan-YihQyf9_teD9QwMcnVlVeq79mTuESC7jYG0BESUXYyjmi9CGF0oPji4cTwAbSSOxDT8nQAMF5oN7CA0yOX9_YpBhTrJn4-c3E1EN6fqXp1WSPW/s1600-h/eyeofgod.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143128959493477986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWk6bu3hfMNdYiYRoMzGan-YihQyf9_teD9QwMcnVlVeq79mTuESC7jYG0BESUXYyjmi9CGF0oPji4cTwAbSSOxDT8nQAMF5oN7CA0yOX9_YpBhTrJn4-c3E1EN6fqXp1WSPW/s320/eyeofgod.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-49035010620615937342007-12-10T08:46:00.000-06:002007-12-10T08:49:42.160-06:00WOW!Hey Bloggers,<br /><br />I'm so pumped about an internship I am now involved in with WOW-Womenonwriting.com.<br /><br />And YESTERDAY was my first blog post on their daily blog. Check it out at <a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/2007/12/making-manly-men.html">http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/2007/12/making-manly-men.html</a>.<br /><br />He He He, I'm stoked about this post and looking forward to adding to the fun of the WOW site, and the joys of the writing experience. :)<br /><br />Happy WritingValeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-39752745602338398032007-11-20T20:49:00.000-06:002007-11-20T20:50:28.274-06:00The Dilemma of an E-societyWhere would we be, or what would we do without the internet? Many people have their opinions, some PG and some not so PC. But it is a question that came to my mind in light of the Writer’s Guild of America’s (WGA) on going strike.<br /><br />In brief summery the members of the WGA, yeah those guys that write the shows we know and love on TV, have gone on strike because they are not receiving any royalties from the DVD sales of the shows we’re addicted to, or any compensation for internet downloads of their hard work. Resulting in late night shows (Jay Leno, David Lettermen, etc), and many of the primetime line up will be going to reruns soon, if negotiations go poorly. Now whether or not you agree with the strike, the potential for a rerun of 1988’s five month strike raises many questions about what the internet has done to our working society.<br /><br />Most of us read the news on the web, instead of buying a news paper. We send email instead of paper mail. We can download music, movies, TV shows, and even books online. Even though the internet allows tons of information to be at our finger tips it’s also cutting away some of jobs and revenue with in some industries. Almost adding to the lazy, selfish, give it to me now mentality that has swept our nation in the last twenty years.<br /><br />Granted I have no idea what our world or society would be without the internet, but it’s something to consider do the benefits out weight the cultural changes that have occurred. Identity Theft, solitude, the number of teens/children that have gone to meet an internet friend and never come home, and many more threats come with this web-concoction.<br /><br />At this point, I’m at an impass, and a quote from Spiderman comes to mind, “With great power comes great responsibility.” I love the internet, just like anyone else, but even though information is at our fingertips, we need to be careful in how we use it. The more we exploit the more trouble we can cause through our E-society.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-73837409187138219322007-11-06T07:54:00.000-06:002007-11-06T07:58:52.308-06:00Writing with HeartI don't know about you, but from time to time my writing hits a wall. Not writer's block in a sense, but more of a misdirection. I get so focused on getting my word count up, and adding that little twist in each scene that I loose track of the heart I started with.<br /><br />Follow this link to a blog I like to read through to read an encouraging word from Janet Rubin: <a href="http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/2007/11/sun.html">http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/2007/11/sun.html</a><br /><br />We'll talk more about the heart behind your writing later this week.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-66636125487948181022007-11-02T10:00:00.000-05:002007-11-02T10:01:34.810-05:00A Sad Day to Claim ChristianRecently on <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/31/funeral.protest/index.html">CNN.com</a> I found an article about a Church that was ordered to pay $10.9 million for a funeral protest that took place in Maryland. As I read on I was saddened and practically ashamed to call myself Christian.<br /><br />This church group apparently has picketed at the funerals, in several states, of many fallen military killed in Irag and Afghanistan, claiming “God is punishing the United States because of its tolerance for homosexuality”. I don’t know what homosexuality and the War on Terror have to do with one another, but that’s a topic for another day.<br /><br />Now I try to talk/listen to God everyday through prayers and reading the Bible, and I don’t think I could ever make a statement like that. To say what God is doing based on our actions. I’m not trying to defend or offend on the second half of that statement, but more on the part that a Christian associated group is dragging the title of Christian through the mud.<br /><br />To make statements like “God hates [homosexuals]”, is ridiculous. It is my belief that God hate no one person on this planet. He may hate certain choices we make and is saddened when we turn away from a relationship with Him, but to blatantly say God hates any one group of people is against what the Bible shows as the nature of God. The whole purpose of our being is to have a relationship with God, and in that, as in any relationship, there are many emotions, but at the core of any long term relationship is LOVE, not hate.<br /><br />What saddens me the most is what non-believers are taking away from the media attention the church group is getting. They are not seeing the gospel. They are not seeing what believing in Jesus Christ is about. They are not seeing the purpose of a church body. All non-believers are seeing are extremist being insensitive to the grief of people who have lost loved ones, under the banner of church and Christianity.<br /><br />It seems our own humanity is the greatest hindrance to the work God has given to each believer. “Go make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19) Over the course of history humanity has done many awful things, at times under the ‘banner’ of Christianity, as almost a justification to their actions. And I think the fact that we are just a fallible as non-believers is often the greatest hindrance to Christianity. Not that we can be perfect examples 24/7, but it is important to present ourselves and any concerns we see fit to protest about, in a manner that presents the truth of Christ. With humility. With a prayerful spirit. With an eternal perspective.<br /><br />I am currently reading through Dave Miller’s <em>Blue Like Jazz (Non-religious thoughts on Christian Spirituality)</em>, and one of the chapters speaks of Miller and his friends setting up a confessional booth at their liberal college. But instead of listening to the confessions of non-Christian students, Miller and his Christian friends confessed the hindrances, we as a general community of Christian’s, that have been placed as a road block to non-believers’ understanding of Christianity. This was a profound and relevant act, and it feels like something I want to put out there as well in light of the referenced article.<br /><br />If you have been hurt by a person or persons that claimed Christianity, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that we fail to represent the truth peace and love of my savior, Jesus Christ. My failure is not due to disbelief or what I believe in, but to the mere fact that I am human. I am imperfect, but because of the LOVE of God and the perfection of Christ, this burden has been lifted. Forgiveness from the creator is there for anyone willing to shed their sinful nature and live a life where perfection is not expected only repentance, trust, and a willingness to live for more than yourself.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-2113459039964988892007-10-28T09:38:00.000-05:002007-10-28T09:44:51.803-05:00Day Six: Dublin<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD07xdLWWnAZsQ1PYwzWxfHOWxh4uUXO9iHvE3ZaJS-1Yod3qokYIQMV2qtTTenvfqY1zBUkPWGk2qvjfxjiRj2zNT4GPUo1InCtT0h1VcSEaz52gGp4nlZGcuJRa9ejIZD87/s1600-h/Dublin-St+Pat%27s12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126397506972161410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px" height="115" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD07xdLWWnAZsQ1PYwzWxfHOWxh4uUXO9iHvE3ZaJS-1Yod3qokYIQMV2qtTTenvfqY1zBUkPWGk2qvjfxjiRj2zNT4GPUo1InCtT0h1VcSEaz52gGp4nlZGcuJRa9ejIZD87/s320/Dublin-St+Pat%27s12.JPG" width="250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>One more beautiful day in Dublin, we’ve only had one day of rain. Lucky us! After another round of Irish breakfast, Justin and I hopped on the bus and back into the City Center. We went through the streets that are becoming quite familiar to us, and wandered to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Were Thomas Swift’s grave is located (author of Gulliver’s Travels) The stained glass and monument’s inside were a walk through history.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33sb6Ly6bPq4yFtHlhi709wGWqyvoFSQtP_9KMvDoLCTAaoARmACKVUZfwLzJaWaKGO0nhWhAUVhr3cifd2ToFtVvslCqo2nlrAZB2GtcrhpCZwItbnQm6OR-90kn8oMdm0zR/s1600-h/Dublin+Castle+JV.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126397919289021842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33sb6Ly6bPq4yFtHlhi709wGWqyvoFSQtP_9KMvDoLCTAaoARmACKVUZfwLzJaWaKGO0nhWhAUVhr3cifd2ToFtVvslCqo2nlrAZB2GtcrhpCZwItbnQm6OR-90kn8oMdm0zR/s320/Dublin+Castle+JV.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The next place we visited was Christ’s Chruch Cathedral’s Dublinia exhibit. This exhibit walked us through the Medieval history of Dublin, and even some of the artifacts found on the archeological dig that was done in the city. That was so cool to be in a city that held so much history. After the museum, our feet were realy barking, so we took in a show. Yes, I mean movie. Our feet appreciated the break and so did our back’s as we enjoyed the movie Stardust. It was a bit strange that today was the opening day of it in Dublin, when it’s been out for a bit in the US. Oh well we enjoyed it, before making the trek back up to Dublin Castle. Unfortunatly the tours of Dublin Castle ended at 4:45, and we arrived at 5:30. That’s the bad thing about seeing a movie I guess. Maybe next time then ;) </div></div></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-1068938415749722462007-10-27T12:29:00.000-05:002007-10-27T12:33:55.083-05:00Day Five: 10-18 Dublin (Happy Birthday to Me)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLtsv_Z9nYTSlEo4vZpBAwMFYVKWiqtbE6cxb9go4OGCypxhxjGilT_f9Twn4r7lX8ylBJTjKqO9KILIgviOrfehbmr1cVEkdNczx72wokvDP0tbejTEycF3taCnX0eQ6_lCj/s1600-h/Dublin-V+%26+James+Joyce.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126070505342113122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" height="209" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLtsv_Z9nYTSlEo4vZpBAwMFYVKWiqtbE6cxb9go4OGCypxhxjGilT_f9Twn4r7lX8ylBJTjKqO9KILIgviOrfehbmr1cVEkdNczx72wokvDP0tbejTEycF3taCnX0eQ6_lCj/s320/Dublin-V+%26+James+Joyce.JPG" width="195" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>We woke up this morning in a chill. For some reason our radiator stopped working in the night, but I think Justin survived well, since he had all the covers on his side of the bed. We decided to stay under the warm covers a little longer before going down to another wonderful Irish breakfast. They sure know how to fill a belly over here.<br /><br />We talked with Moira, the Springvale owner, about the bus and how to get into town. Once we got our route planned we headed off to join the morning rush. It’s been great to ride the buses, and not fight our American driving instincts. So into town we go, and then jumped on the Dublin Tour bus. The morning was a bit chilly, and a restless night’s sleep kept me from taking the pictures that I should have, but that just mean we’ll have to come back another time J<br /><br />Our tour guide was pretty funy, and serenaded us with some Irish tunes along the way. At the end of the nearly two hour tour, we jumped off and headed over to the Writer’s museum. (Hehehe- a good place to go on my Birthday, I dare say) It was a joy to hear the stories of the Irish greats. To see first editions, even some with hand written notes, of such names as James Joyce, Orson Wells, Bram Stoker, William Yates, and many more that have written from or about Ireland. Justin let me get a couple of books, even though I secretly wanted to buy the shop. It was en<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyep9RD4fAP2Nf9KdkQp7dJeEmKVKFim_Z_NuzF8hWpw-O6LKA0oB9b_wO3_if3v-gjL5wtru-jF425xvGddN71qcZKz5xNQ5P1WobSRhJq1r7Wl4lTLziwJObQI6VJhfTqIsr/s1600-h/Dublin-+St+Pat%27s+Green-JV.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126070831759627634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="172" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyep9RD4fAP2Nf9KdkQp7dJeEmKVKFim_Z_NuzF8hWpw-O6LKA0oB9b_wO3_if3v-gjL5wtru-jF425xvGddN71qcZKz5xNQ5P1WobSRhJq1r7Wl4lTLziwJObQI6VJhfTqIsr/s320/Dublin-+St+Pat%27s+Green-JV.JPG" width="202" border="0" /></a>couraging to here how each author struggled through their art to create something that held a truth of Irish History and it’s people. I love my Husband so much, cause he fell asleep during the tour, and him willingly going into the museum proves his love to me. Yes, it’s silly, but if he does something I love and he hates, and he doesn’t fuss about it I know he’s still in love we me. J<br /><br />Next we headed up to Trinity College. The Book of Kells (ancient illustrated version of the gospels) is held here, but I felt Justin had seen enough books for the day. So we walked the campus and then headed over to the Hard Rock Café. Granted not a very Irish place to eat, but it is a traveling tradition of mine. After having a bite, and a pint of Guinness we picked out my Dublin Hard Rock T-shirt and head out to wander the streets. It’s pretty fun to start to know your way around a town in another country, makes you feel like a real world traveler. We walked over and took a picture or the hotel owned by Bono, and down to the historic Custom’s House. Once thing about wandering the streets is my feet are tired, so back to the bus and the B&B for hopefully a warmer night’s sleep. </div></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-2919936528780537412007-10-26T17:59:00.001-05:002007-10-26T18:01:23.256-05:00Day Four-Keady/Maladahide/Howth/Dublin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih33BA_8J5pd25RvPMTPBYOwrtYDADs8zUOKzHvBIwSwm8CkJWh6pEO6ULQMYTyWDKUCEZl9IF7sV-amuwlmfHs5M5gbZlA2m7-suvmwYxTYG7kvFESnXJsAwc_kS-cXifo2Ug/s1600-h/Carrigatuke+View3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125784232886932818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="173" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih33BA_8J5pd25RvPMTPBYOwrtYDADs8zUOKzHvBIwSwm8CkJWh6pEO6ULQMYTyWDKUCEZl9IF7sV-amuwlmfHs5M5gbZlA2m7-suvmwYxTYG7kvFESnXJsAwc_kS-cXifo2Ug/s320/Carrigatuke+View3.JPG" width="214" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We started our day with another serving of Irish breakfast, which meant we didn’t eat anything else till 4PM. Such good food. Then we packed our bags and headed off to a viewpoint Larry told us about the day before. Carrigatuke Viewpoint looks out over six Irish county, and we could even see the twin spires of St. Patrick’s in the distance. The wind was quite chilly but the view was wonderful.<br /><br />We once again set off on the back roads of Northern Ireland destined for Dublin. After winding through the back country and seeing a couple spray painted IRA support notices we eased on to the motorway and off to our next destination. We drove down the coast to Maladahide Castle, where the residence had lived for 800 years. The grounds were beautiful and it was amazing to imagine the history. Oliver Cromwell even stayed in the castle back in the days of over throwing the British throne. We even watched a few raven’s on the lawn, and we could see why they are evil omen’s in Irish folklore. They look like they could tare you to pieces if they decided to.<br /><br />After touring the castle we headed over to Howth Cliffs. As Justin put it we had to go through the round-a-bout maze to get there, and once we did we were not disappointed. The coast was beautiful, the wind crisp, and the food delicious. I had a plate of Fish-n-Chips along with some calamari, but Justin couldn’t steer away from the steak. He tried a bite of my dishes, and had to admit they tasted really fresh. After wandering the sea side with our feet aching, our eyes drooping, and our bellies full we headed off to our B&B. Well we took a nice tour of Dublin Port, almost taking the ferry somewhere we weren’t planning to go, before we had to stop and ask for directions, and then call the B&B. Just as the sun was going down we pulled into the B&B. Praise the Lord. Now it’s time to rest before our big adventures in Dublin tomorrow.<br /><br />Blessings.</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-55317883035403297492007-10-24T09:34:00.001-05:002007-10-24T09:38:46.943-05:00Day Three: Armagh<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n1dZR-flGNbGVVo0ILk8NvpNV0B0I2UCY3VEnunueuGbvqgBRBnWNqEY65kAE7-dA6qFpc1d-DU32BlCs__9EoS7ycDyicx-56kn6Bes73v0KgD1qbsVE-k90D_YjAr2bPSN/s1600-h/StP2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124912114418077986" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="226" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n1dZR-flGNbGVVo0ILk8NvpNV0B0I2UCY3VEnunueuGbvqgBRBnWNqEY65kAE7-dA6qFpc1d-DU32BlCs__9EoS7ycDyicx-56kn6Bes73v0KgD1qbsVE-k90D_YjAr2bPSN/s320/StP2.JPG" width="168" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>An exciting day, the day I go see the town my novel takes place in, which made it hard to fall asleep last night. But when morning came we got ready for the day, and went to enjoy some Irish breakfast. Bacon, toast and jam, eggs sunny side up and soda bread. So yummy, and so filling, we didn’t eat lunch until three in the afternoon. Larry also introduced himself, and shared a bit of the history of Dundrum house. His accent is fun, but I think I’m only getting about 60% of what he’s saying, while Justin is making out about 40%. It’s amazing all the work they did on this old farm house, and they still have plans of expanding the B&B in the future. After taking a break from the last ten years of renovations, but luckily some of the family have helped fix up the place.<br /><br />With breakfast settling nice in our bellies, we headed off to Armagh. We weaved through the narrow hilly streets, keeping the spires of St. Patrick’s Catholic cathedral in our sights. We arrived at the church just as morning mass was ending, and a nice gentleman that was going up to the church told us about the school, the archbishops house, and the front walk way which was renovated in 2000. Which is a good tidbit since my story takes place before then, so I’ll need to be careful when I construct my climax.-<br /><br />After touring the cathedral and taking a lot of pictures, we decided to walk the streets a bit. It was great to get a feel for where my characters could walk, go and do. We walked in the Mall, which is not for shopping, but a park in between the courthouse (which was recently renovated from a bombing in 1993) and the prison (women’s prison now). There were a couple of monuments to the Irish that fought in World War I, and a great row of Georgian style houses lining the park.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH5L2AzxHbB_nYzJFo3wBs0-KceKz8howhNX-uKlz774rjOHQGAIaPAKgj5XMVoOVS5_FNT9BJ_WHiMsQKDwGzRlVPkbI8SVUxc_yrj2sY0i8rW4LTgCHOYhVp1X53z1sxD3M/s1600-h/Tynan+Cross-V.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124912402180886834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="288" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH5L2AzxHbB_nYzJFo3wBs0-KceKz8howhNX-uKlz774rjOHQGAIaPAKgj5XMVoOVS5_FNT9BJ_WHiMsQKDwGzRlVPkbI8SVUxc_yrj2sY0i8rW4LTgCHOYhVp1X53z1sxD3M/s320/Tynan+Cross-V.JPG" width="199" border="0" /></a><br />We walked around the streets some more, surprised at how many people were our and about on a Tuesday morning. Around noon we got back in the car to go see the Navan fort, which holds a lot of Armagh’s history, but it was closed. Apparently their website had not been updated. But we continued on toward the small village of Tynan, to see a high cross. The village didn’t even have a stop light it was so small. But the large Celtic cross on the road was beautiful. Ireland has about 270 free standing Celtic crosses in the country side. We weren’t able to see the Abby (which has two other high crosses), since it is still a working private abbey, but we were able to see some of the small grave yard and the architecture over the wall. After stopping in Tynan, we decided to head back to Armagh and wander the streets a bit more.<br /><br />We went into the tourist information center and were told about the Armagh museum, so we walked over and went through the history of Armagh tour. It was very interesting to see what affected the growth and development of this beautiful city, but then we got locked in the tour. The last door was locked, so we had to feel our way back through the dark exhibit before we could enjoy the final movie, luckily they let us in by another door. After we walked about some more, stepped in to a chemists’ (like a Walgreens) to get Justin some cold medicine, he’s doing better but the congestion is keeping him tired, which is probably helping him enjoy such a slow paced trip. Then we headed back to Keady and the B&B.<br /><br />Once we dropped off our day’s treasures, we decided to go on a little walk. We found Larry getting ready to feed the cows, so we jumped in the jeep (truck) and joined him on a tour of his farm. It was amazing to hear about his family’s history and even some of the situations they ran into during The Troubles. He even showed us the small stone house his father was born in. Most of the Irish we’ve talked too seem to compare The Trouble’s to the war in Iraq, which brings about a wealth of interesting discussions. After touring the farm, and seeing the three day old calf, Justin and I are settling down for the night. Our feet are ready for a rest.<br /><br />Blessings.</div></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-76922443524949382132007-10-23T19:02:00.000-05:002007-10-23T19:04:01.647-05:00Day Two: Dublin/Newgrange/Keady<div>The morning started late. I was able to get a full night’s sleep, but Justin seems to be fighting a bit of congestion. We took the morning slow and headed out of Dublin about noon, going up to the Valley of the Boyne. We took the back roads into the valley enjoying the rolling hillsides, stone and bush fences, plus the scattering of sheep along the roads. It was a lovely way to travel, and even seeing the leaves change add to the beauty. We arrived in Newgrange just in time to enjoy the museum and join the next tour. The valley of Bru na Boinne holds the oldest Neolithic tombs and structures in the world. Dating back further than the pyramids or Stonehenge, which as our tour guide said is ‘not’ something t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUnYHIzvqnhJ6ad0_mXCv_3aOHTBwMnmFXXiKSmfdwu_M_ghmV-gpCdsPBdLOzqCQ8ZqpCt6eIYURtEM1uGbqjXE_QDkO6DP5M9C4e2Cl9aIXXRC57MwuaxBlEftj8_Aw39A_/s1600-h/Newgrange-JV.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124687191275753730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUnYHIzvqnhJ6ad0_mXCv_3aOHTBwMnmFXXiKSmfdwu_M_ghmV-gpCdsPBdLOzqCQ8ZqpCt6eIYURtEM1uGbqjXE_QDkO6DP5M9C4e2Cl9aIXXRC57MwuaxBlEftj8_Aw39A_/s320/Newgrange-JV.JPG" border="0" /></a>he Irish like to brag about. ;) After enjoying the ancient stones and the green countryside we headed up to Northern Ireland, back roads of course. Justin is dong a great job at driving on the left side of the road it’s a little weird when going around tight bends in the road, but I think Justin’s a better driver in Ireland than in the states. ;) We had a bit of trouble finding our B&B so we took a longer tour of Keady than we planed, but we finally found it and were greeted by a black farm dog, and the mooing of a few cows. The owners, Lisa and Larry, have spent ten years renovating this historic farm house, it has a lovely view. A Canadian couple have been staying here for the last seven weeks, with two more left on their adventure. They are researching their genealogy, which seems to be the most common reason for people from the states to hope over the ocean. For dinner, the owners directed us back into Keady to a restaurant called the Caledonian. We enjoyed a large helping of food, but we were the only ones in the place. Apparently everyone eats earlier than 5PM, or doesn’t eat out on a Monday. We sat and talked with Dorothy and Walter for a bit, and are told that Larry is a bit of a story teller, so I look forward to meeting him at breakfast. I just hope I can cut through his accent.<br /><br />Blessings </div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-18346016751025715272007-10-22T08:55:00.000-05:002007-10-22T09:00:27.338-05:00Day One- Dublin<div>October 14th, 2007<br /><br />After a full day in airports, airplanes, and very little sleep we arrived at Dublin Airport. Just before we landed we were able to watch the sun rise over Ireland and the Atlantic Ocean, which was a beautiful start to our trip. We took stairs out of plane on to the tarmac, to the bus, and once we got our bags (Thank the Lord that they made it with us-after three plane jumps) we started the adventure of driving on the left side of the road.<br /><br />Wow that’s a mind game, and the round-a-bouts are a bit confusing ‘cause the street signs are hard t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSfq6Wpl4Aqn9uuI6aId5S2ksfgLFeFodXxlK8tKT47x3DxOVUI-jQdEDPEvv8ThBS7jShcwwPtm3_Hr9HGfHMiUeMkhOA6rg78cXuAK9h8AM1bUy5AthpRvQ1MQj4xatee1E/s1600-h/Bankof+Ireland-JV.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124160559565787378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSfq6Wpl4Aqn9uuI6aId5S2ksfgLFeFodXxlK8tKT47x3DxOVUI-jQdEDPEvv8ThBS7jShcwwPtm3_Hr9HGfHMiUeMkhOA6rg78cXuAK9h8AM1bUy5AthpRvQ1MQj4xatee1E/s320/Bankof+Ireland-JV.JPG" border="0" /></a>o find. But after heading the wrong way a couple times, we made it to our hotel and made our first trek into the city center. We decided to walk the streets and enjoy the people, since we’re still tired, and save the bus tour for when we come back.<br /><br />We had perfect weather, and the architecture made our afternoon very enjoyable after hours of sitting. Looks like their might be rain tomorrow though, hopefully it won’t hinder our plans</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-15345613914834367532007-10-20T17:43:00.000-05:002007-10-20T17:46:07.578-05:00State Side!!!!YAY, Justin and I have arrived back in the US of A, and are enjoying the internet in NC. We have one more flight to go before we can get home, but the long stretch is over. We had a great time in Ireland, and God was so good to us on the trip. Even though we were without internet the whole trip. So my daily blogs of our adventures were not posted, but I did write so over the next week I'll be sharing our adventures.<br /><br />Blessings!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-34850621724198665512007-10-12T19:52:00.000-05:002007-10-12T19:55:30.707-05:00Emerald Isle Here we comeLadies and Gents. Boys and girls tomorrow (10/13) Justin and I will be off to IRELAND!!! The excitement is building, and I just hope I can sleep to night. We are in final preperations, and we ask for your prayers for safe travels.<br /><br />And for those who like to be in the know. I hope to blog, while on our trip, to share our adventures and some pictures along the way.<br /><br />Enjoy the Fun (and probably goofy pictures)<br /><br />Blessings to ALL :)Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-38409499493941124062007-10-09T13:34:00.000-05:002007-10-09T13:38:01.787-05:00Beware or Be AmazedI just got done reading Michael Crichton’s <em>State of Fear</em>, which is just as intellectual as it is roller coaster ride. I won’t give any spoilers if you haven’t read it, but on thing absolutely amazed me when I got to the end of the book… there was a bibliography.<br /><br />Not only that there were footnotes and references throughout Crichton’s work of fiction (Yes, Fiction not Non-fiction), he goes on to say his take on the global warming subject that is addressed in <em>State of Fear</em>. And then Crichton writes that he spent three years researching before starting <em>State of Fear</em>. THREE YEARS! That is Amazing, and a little daunting if I think through how much research I’ve put into my own WIP.<br /><br />It makes me question the amount of time I spend researching before I place my characters in the first scene. Would you count your research time in hours, weeks, months, or years?<br /><br />I think this is an important thing to think about, when joining in the insanity and fun of writing a manuscript. If Michael Crichton didn’t do his years of research would we believe: Dinosaurs can be brought back from the Jurassic Age(Jurassic Park, The Lost World), Time travel is possible (Timeline), or Global warming doesn’t exist (State of Fear). The amount of time he puts into researching his novels is what makes them bestsellers time and time again. His story worlds are so in depth and you can’t help but see them as truth on some levels.<br /><br />This should be the goal of all writers.<br /><br />To present a story world that makes us think about our own place in this universe. That is the joy of Fiction, and what I hope to be the goal of all my manuscripts.<br /><br />Happy Writing!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-86301843783077123952007-10-06T11:53:00.000-05:002007-10-06T12:08:52.310-05:00Question for James BrauschJust about everyone in the CBA knows the Snowflake Guy, Randy Ingermanson. So when his blogs said he takes his marketing advice from <a href="http://www.jamesbrausch.com/?p=794">James Brausch</a>. You have to take notice. I jumped over to James Brausch's blog and found that he is taking questions from us mere mortals and to quote <a href="http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/">Randy Ingermanson</a>,<br /><br />"Brausch has built an extremely successful business around his blog, and the information he sells is based on hard empirical data. When he tells you to do something, he’s basing his advice on real experiments he’s done. Ya gotta respect that."<br /><br />So my question is.....<br /><br />If you're a beginner in world of marketing yourself and your products would you recommend building trust aka establishing crediblity, or pushing your products and building crediblity over time?<br /><br />If you want to ask James Brausch a question, here’s how it works:<br />You ask a question related to generating an internet business, and he will answer all questions on Monday.<br /><br />You ask your question by posting to your own blog and linking back to this blog entry. He'll see the link or trackback and therefore see your question. He will answer questions in a post on his blog.<br /><br />Good Luck!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-31848301080273201462007-07-13T19:45:00.000-05:002007-10-03T20:35:08.194-05:00Everything you need to know about life......can be learned from Noah's Ark<br /><br />One : Don't miss the boat.<br /><br />Two : Remember that we are all in the same boat.<br /><br />Three : Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.<br /><br />Four : Stay fit When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.<br /><br />Five : Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.<br /><br />Six : Build your future on high ground.<br /><br />Seven : For safety's sake, travel in pairs.<br /><br />Eight : Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.<br /><br />Nine : When you're stressed, float a while.<br /><br />Ten : Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.<br /><br />Eleven : No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waitingValeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-47032902162060802422007-07-01T09:44:00.000-05:002007-10-03T20:36:24.822-05:00Examining ServiceWhen you’re asked to get involved in a service project, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Is it “SURE, I’d Love to,” or is it one of these three things:<br /><br />- I Don’t have Time<br />- Someone else will volunteer<br />-OR-<br />- That’s Not what I do<br /><br />Many of us revert to an early Moses or Jacob mentality, where we find ourselves fighting against God when it comes to service. We focus on our short comings to give us excuses not to make an effort. But if we look at the later actions of Moses and Jacob, we can see the convicting impact of all they did in our faith. So what’s the difference between these pillars of our faith and little old us?<br /><br />In one word: Nothing<br /><br />They were just as human as we are, had the same insecurities, same doubts, same worries, so how did they do it?<br /><br />Well the church answer is faith, but we can break it down further into:<br /><br />Reliance<br />Trust<br />-AND-<br />Prayer<br /><br />Reliance, that God will provide the time and the opportunity to make an impact for God, and when I say impact that doesn’t have to mean the Hiroshima of revivals. But can often mean many small acts of faith putting a dent in the barriers that surround us.<br /><br />Then there is trusting, that God values and will work through your efforts. At church on Sundays, I get so encouraged by a gentleman that sets up our pastor’s chair, table, and laptop. He is doing something so simple, most of us have no idea who he is, and yet he is instrumental to our pastor’s message. I know at times I would be lost without my notes or laptop, and I’m sure Pastor Gregg would say the same. So God works in that man every Sunday, and can do the same in you on a daily basis if you are willing.<br /><br />And the last piece is Prayer, to ask and listen to His Guidance in our outward steps of Faith. EPH6:18 says , “And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests with this in mind, Be alert and always keep praying for all the saints.<br />I hope you make the effort to pray in your daily lives.<br /><br />God will give each of us the courage, ability, and often the energy to step out in service. We just need to be aware of the needs that surround us and be willing to step away from our insecurities.<br /><br />I encourage you to examine your attitude toward service and the needs of the people in your lives. Because, if Moses never made the effort to examine the burning bush, our faith and our world could be in a different place.<br /><br /><br /><br />Which of the three excuses do you struggle with? (You can answer with more than one)<br /><br /><br />What does that say about your reliance, trust, and/or prayer relationship with God?<br /><br /><br />Who encourages you the most in the act of service?<br /><br /><br /><br />Other encouraging verses:<br />Ephesians 4:16<br />Romans 13:11-13<br />Philippians 4:13<br />Mark 12:41-44Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-33908930032239261052007-05-23T20:46:00.000-05:002007-05-23T20:54:04.580-05:00Interview with Rachel Hauck<div><br /><br /><div>Rachel Hauch, author of Lost in NashVegas, Georgia on her Mind, New Hampshire Weddings, and her latest: Diva NashVegas, stops to chat about her latest book, and what writing means to her.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfAdH1Ld7MaOjqmCnr1UaQHcPQaM01H_NILFZsSalUzkGx5aDLv0WZ1ftv0KQkVVspwjE2x-xOQzi9GMmaC2ysB-DTWby19-nBwi4ISWlE1ioZCEagujjbU173Nqy00FEd89n/s1600-h/rh.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067939429762851938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfAdH1Ld7MaOjqmCnr1UaQHcPQaM01H_NILFZsSalUzkGx5aDLv0WZ1ftv0KQkVVspwjE2x-xOQzi9GMmaC2ysB-DTWby19-nBwi4ISWlE1ioZCEagujjbU173Nqy00FEd89n/s320/rh.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Q: What inspired Diva NashVegas?<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: The idea to write about a singer came from a conversation with my editor, Ami McConnell. At first, I created the Diva to be a wanna-be star, but after thinking the story through, I decided she had to be an established artist, a superstar.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: How do you research a diva?<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: Not easy. I read a lot of bios, and spent time with Christian artist, Kim Hill. She was a blast and a great help. I loved hanging out with her. I also got some inside scoop from record producer and fellow Thomas Nelson author, Matt Bronleewe.<br />I talked to an entertainment lawyer and search music business forums for answer to some of my questions. The hardest detail to find was about artist and record label disputes. We all know it happens, but why? The only reason I could find was "creative differences." This answer did not cover enough detail for me. I couldn't create a legitimate scene with Aubrey and her record label President arguing over "creative differences."<br />Thankfully, I found a forum on the internet and a kind gentleman gave me eight detailed reason why an artist would enter into a dispute with her label. Saved the day!<br />I also researched foster care and television production for elements of the story. Kelly Sutton and Molly Day, a TV personality and producer respectively in Nashville were enthusiastic resources.<br />After that, I only had my imagination.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: What do you want readers to take away from the book?<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: First, a great read. I hope they can be transported into Aubrey James's world. Next, a message that life isn't always fair, but we have the power of choice in our response. God is always there for us, even when we don't feel He is.<br />Diva NashVegas was difficult to write. I had a few crisis, but when I finally submitted it to my editor, I wrote in my email, "I love Aubrey James." She really came to life for me in the end.<br />My editor loved her, too. I'm confident she'll capture readers.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: What is your writing day like?<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: It varies, but I try to settle down from my morning routine by noon and focus on writing. Some days it's earlier, and some later. If I'm approaching a deadline date, I completely clear my schedule and work twelve hours a day or more.<br />Email is my weakness. I've modified the Lord's prayer some for writers: "give us this day, our daily word count, and delivers us from email."<br />Seriously, I'm like an email junky. Half the time no one emails me, I just have to check and see. Secretly, I'm hoping a Broadway or Hollywood producer will email me wanting to make a movie or play out of one of my books.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: How long have you been writing?<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: For a long time, but not seriously until the mid-90's. Then I quit for awhile because my corp job became more demanding, then one day in 2001 the Lord began to open doors and by the end of 2002, I had my first book contract.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: Name your favorite TV show of all time.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: I have no idea. Friends, I guess. Gee, do I want to admit that? I don't agree with the shows moral philosophy, but I love the comedy, the writing and friendship element of the show. Same with Cheers, or MASH. Wait, I just remembered, I love, loved, loved, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. That is my all time favorite.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: How did you meet your husband?<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: Actually, he was hit by a bus. I witnessed the whole thing, pulled my car over, checked his ring finger (empty) then gave him CPR.<br />Of course I'm making all that up. Hit by a bus? He'd be dead.<br />I met him at church. He was the youth and singles pastor, and the only guy who didn't wear a pocket protector or have duct tape holding his glasses together. Husband was cool, and we had a lot in common, but mostly what attracted me was his heart of David - a man after God's heart. He's a man of prayer and the Word, high integrity and after being friends for eighteen years, he's my best friend and makes me laugh.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: What's next for you?<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: Look for "Sweet Caroline" from Thomas Nelson March 2008. This is a story of inheritance and finding courage to do what you really want to do in life.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: How do you get your ideas.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: Burn up my last brain cell thinking of something. Then I call all my friends and cry, begging for help. I pray a lot.<br />Seriously, I believe God has a lot of ideas and He's most kind to share them with us. I look for what is on His heart.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Q: Besides writing, what goes on in your life?<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: I'm a worship leader at my church, and with a prayer and worship ministry, Fire Dweller. Until August 2006, Husband and I were youth pastors. We handed the youth church over to a younger couple last summer, and I've been taking time to see what else God has for me. It's nice to have a light schedule for the first time in many years.<br />Recently, I learned of a volunteer program where I can read to children and rock babies. So, I'm going to give time to that ministry. I'm very excited.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstbFUYKprZxN2u_MfxoHvfR3rl8Bu163iNaxkqR4k2HXM6WOKlCkND4DqpaRZ_D44mnocgLclpQB1aMUiIPViyhkqHpohQox-yQpkorDv5K0fWzQ2zbnUi3QXsLFgHNHv5wOd/s1600-h/DNV.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067938987381220434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstbFUYKprZxN2u_MfxoHvfR3rl8Bu163iNaxkqR4k2HXM6WOKlCkND4DqpaRZ_D44mnocgLclpQB1aMUiIPViyhkqHpohQox-yQpkorDv5K0fWzQ2zbnUi3QXsLFgHNHv5wOd/s320/DNV.jpg" border="0" /></a>Q: Any parting words.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>A: Sure, thanks to the authors on the Diva NashVegas blog tour. Thanks to all the readers. I appreciate you. Stop by my web site and leave a blog comment or email me and I'll add your name to a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Starbucks or Barnes & Noble. If you tell me you bought the book, I'd love it. </div></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-83870091005012579992007-05-05T22:25:00.000-05:002007-10-03T20:37:28.415-05:00Do you want a Donut?There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christensen, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christensen taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major.<br /><br />Although Dr. Christensen tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.<br /><br />This year, Dr. Christensen had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.<br /><br />One day, Dr. Christensen asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?" Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."<br /><br />"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christensen said. "Do you think you could do 300?"<br />Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."<br /><br />"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christensen.<br /><br />"Well, I can try," said Steve.<br /><br />"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.<br /><br />Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."<br /><br />Dr. Christensen said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."<br /><br />Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the BIG, extra fancy kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.<br /><br />Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the year, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christensen's class.<br /><br />Dr. Christensen went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?" Cynthia said, "Yes."<br /><br />Dr. Christensen then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?" "Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christensen put a donut on Cynthia's desk.<br /><br />Dr. Christensen then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?" Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christensen asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups! , Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.<br /><br />Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christensen came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.<br /><br />When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?" Dr. Christensen said, "No, Steve has to do them." Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."<br /><br />Dr. Christensen shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?" With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"<br /><br />Dr. Christensen said, "Look! this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.<br /><br />Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down . You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.<br /><br />Dr. Christensen started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christensen asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Sternly, Jenny said, "No." Then Dr. Christensen asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.<br /><br />By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say<br />"No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.<br /><br />Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.<br /><br />Dr. Christensen asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.<br /><br />Dr. Christensen started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.<br /><br />Dr. Christensen went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.> Steve asked Dr Christensen, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"<br /><br />Dr. Christensen thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christensen went on.<br /><br />A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"<br /><br />Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come." Professor Christensen said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?" Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."<br /><br />Dr. Christensen said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?" Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut." "Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.<br /><br />Dr. Christensen finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.<br /><br />The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christensen went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut?"; Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you." Professor Christensen quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.<br /><br />Then Dr Christensen turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christensen, why can't I help him?"<br /><br />Dr. Christensen, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone. I have given him this task, and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work.<br /><br />Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."<br /><br />"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.<br /><br />Dr. Christensen turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into Thy hands I commend My spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."<br /><br />Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.<br /><br />"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding "Not all sermons are preached in words."<br /><br />Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid." "Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-9061877251278050672007-05-02T20:31:00.000-05:002007-10-03T20:38:32.411-05:00A Writer Moment<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6hz0GFAVHi4pf_4Rg8spJR9Dky0ixMRLP2OnG-aRdCwAM3m2m7gwBjlBGZXeRoJyQg8J3bp-fXEAuCoKBek0r1hMRnxmZUgu96cawPOQM7uMMBW-Js_daVWUXimqXKowKQ6V/s1600-h/plotting.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060141286661015682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6hz0GFAVHi4pf_4Rg8spJR9Dky0ixMRLP2OnG-aRdCwAM3m2m7gwBjlBGZXeRoJyQg8J3bp-fXEAuCoKBek0r1hMRnxmZUgu96cawPOQM7uMMBW-Js_daVWUXimqXKowKQ6V/s320/plotting.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-88100207009192363492007-04-30T21:24:00.000-05:002007-10-03T20:39:39.861-05:00WHICH BELONGS TO AN ENVIRONMENTALISTLOOK OVER THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING TWO HOUSES AND SEE IF YOUCAN TELL WHICH BELONGS TO AN ENVIRONMENTALIST.<br /><br />HOUSE # 1: A 20-room mansion (not including 8 bathrooms) heated by natural gas.Add on a pool (and a pool house) and a separate guest house all heated by gas. In ONE MONTH ALONE this mansion consumes more energy than the average American household in an ENTIRE YEAR. The average bill for electricity and natural gas runs over $2,400.00 per month. In natural gas alone (which last time we checked was a fossil fuel), this property consumes more than 20 times the national average for an American home. This house is not in anorthern or Midwestern "snow belt" either. It is in the South.<br /><br />HOUSE # 2: Designed by an architecture professor at a leading national university, this house incorporates every "green" feature current home construction can provide. The house contains only 4,000 square feet, (4 bedrooms) and is nestled on arid high prairie in the American southwest. A central closet in the house holds geothermal heat pumps drawing ground water through pipes sunk 300 feet into the ground. The water (usually 67 degrees F.) heats the house in winter and cools it in summer. The system uses no fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas, and it consumes 25% of the electricity requiredfor a conventional heating/cooling system. Rainwater from the roof is collected and funneled into a 25,000 gallon underground cistern. Waste water from showers, sinks and toilets goes into underground purifying tanks and then the collected water then irrigates the land surrounding the house.Flowers and shrubs native to the area blend the property into the surroundingrural landscape.<br /><br />HOUSE # 1 (20 room energy guzzling mansion) is outside of Nashville, Tennessee . It is the abode of that renowned environmentalist (and filmmaker) Al Gore.<br /><br />HOUSE # 2 (model eco-friendly house) is on a ranch near Crawford, Texas.Also known as "the Texas White House," it is the private residence of the President of the United States, George W. Bush.<br /><br />So whose house is gentler on the environment?<br /><br />Yet another story youWON'T hear on CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC or read about in the New York Times or the Washington Post. Indeed, for Mr. Gore, it's truly "an inconvenient truth."Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-7306090558794427082007-04-18T20:33:00.000-05:002007-10-03T20:40:33.596-05:00Acts RevelationMy Sunday School Bibles Study has been going through the book of Acts. We were in chapter eleven this week, and in reading through the thirty verses of chapter eleven you might miss a verse. No there's not an actual verse missing in your Bible, but you might have read over this one word without considering it. It's a part of verse 26: The disciples were called Christians.<br /><br />This may not seem like an important verse in the light of all the other verses in the Bible, but I find it VERY important. Surprisingly the term Christian is only used THREE times in the New Testament.<br /><br />NOW when money is mentioned over 110 times, faith 280 times, and love almost 700 times, how could these three instances be so important. Well let me tell you: this word summarizes every verse in the New Testament. HOW SO, well in Latin Christianity MEANS:<br /><br />WE BELONG TO CHRIST<br /><br />Not only that, but this is how the WORLD refers to us. This is the label they give us, and even if they don't believe as we do they know what that label SHOULD mean.<br /><br />IN THE TIME OF ACTS, Christianity meant: one who has turned from sin, trusted Jesus Christ and received salvation through grace. SIMPLE ENOUGH RIGHT?<br /><br />BUT TODAY, Christianity is almost synonymous with Hypocrisy. People join the fad because their not bad people without realizing CHRIST requires repentance and faith. It requires a change in lifestyle, a change of heart, and a change in worldview.<br /><br />Try this question on for size: If you were arrested right now for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?<br />E<br />verything in our life SHOULD reflect Christ, granted none of us are perfect, but even when we falter our reaction SHOULD reflect the branding of our hearts.<br /><br />True this is a bit of a tangent from ACTS 11, but it is something we need to remind ourselves of no matter where we are in our walk with Christ.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37096339.post-58381844969619941372007-04-13T19:57:00.000-05:002007-10-03T20:42:56.068-05:00Frugality is the Mother of Virtue?Engraved in the façade of a building I see on my commute is the above statement. It struck me as an interesting saying to be on a bank building, but then I got to thinking about it and that’s a pretty sad little motto.<br /><br />If virtue and purity come from money then why are the rich in the trashy headlines the most? Someone’s in rehab, someone’s caught drunk driving, so on and so forth. The very fact that the rich (in some cases) are not virtuous is how the papers make their money. SO how can we rephrase this statement?<br /><br />COMPASSION is the mother of virtue<br />TRUTH is the mother of virtue<br />KINDNESS, SELF CONTROLL, insert any fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22) and virtue, joy, grace, and righteousness result.<br /><br />May you be rich in truth, hope, and make the source known, Jesus Christ!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08052659183707381027noreply@blogger.com1