Occupy Wall Street

I’ve heard the young people who are protesting on Wall Street and other large U.S. cities don’t have one identifiable reason for being there.
Some say they’re fussing because the Wall Street Fat Cats are licking up too much financial milk. Others talk about unemployment.
Some of them are there because they’ve been paid by unions and other organizations to go out and demonstrate, according to journalists who uncovered some of the advertising.
Whatever each person demonstrating says is the reason the crowds are creating a mess in New York and other cities, I discern they all have an inner basic yearning for which they are living on the streets—to make a difference in the world with their lives. To make their lives count for something bigger than themselves. They’re searching—but I don’t think they’ve found it.
When you’ve been taught you are no different from an animal and you arrived on earth by some accident that just happened to land you here with a perfect body and everything you need to sustain you available, including gravity to hold you, it’s difficult to find something meaningful to which you can devote your life.
In contrast, my family became devoted Spirit-filled Christians about the time I was born. I learned early that God—the Creator of the Universe—loves me and has a plan for my life. Now that I’ve lived a large percentage of my years, I see how His plan unfolded. Never in my dreams would I have thought I would have the privilege to be a newspaper reporter who in my columns and in meeting so many people could make an impact on people's lives.
I couldn’t have imagined that my writing in Christian publications could guide and encourage thousands of folks I’ve never met. My first book, Confessions of a Pentecostal, sold 7,000 copies while it was in print, but people are still asking for it, buying used copies on the internet and soon it will be an e-book.
My latest project, “Swallowed by LIFE: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal,” will be available on Amazon in November and I'm hoping it helps those with a terminal diagnosis, those who fear death, and the grieving.
Our wonderful children and grandchildren are other ways God has blessed my life.
Anyone who wants to make a difference in his own life and impact the world should investigate the Bible and who Jesus Christ is.
Christians created most of the hospitals around the world and missionaries, without fanfare, take medical relief to the poor here and in foreign countries. Churches now are drilling water wells in drought- and famine-stricken nations. They house the homeless and orphans, visit the lonely in prisons, nursing homes and mental centers. Christians started most of the educational institutions around the world, including our most prestigious universities. Harvard to train preachers. Yale for training in church work, civil duties, the arts and sciences. Vanderbilt for teaching law, medicine, theology and the arts. Baylor was the fruit of the Baptist General Convention. Boston University was started by Methodists for training in theology. Boston College was Catholic, as was Fordham. Cornell College was Methodist. Rutgers University for 80 years included the New Brunswick Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church of America.
The world still is being educated by Christians. Wycliff Translators, who are Christian missionaries, live with primitive tribes and give them a written language and then teach them to read. Wycliff translated the Bible into hundreds of languages, and brought literacy to many nations.
If you want to make a difference in the world, give your life to Jesus Christ. It’s a choice, you know. He will never barge into your heart without you inviting Him.
Jesus said, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:19-21).

Joplin: Nothing left but the foundation

On our way home this week after visiting family and the balloon festival in Albuquerque we stopped in Joplin again to view the tornado damage.
Although some businesses are being rebuilt and a few houses are in various stages of construction, concrete foundations and floor slabs are all that remain for the most part because of the storm that blew away about one-third of the city. I took a few photos of damaged buildings and piles of debris that once were schools, churches, adult education centers, dental and medical offices and St. John’s hospital.
One basement with a tarp over it appeared as if someone could be living in it.
Seeing all the foundations reminded me of scriptures that tell us to build a sure foundation on the Rock Christ Jesus, but I always pictured a home with a few shutters loose and flapping in the wind, maybe a few broken windows, shingles torn away—but most of the house remaining.
In Joplin I realized sometimes storms might take all of our hopes and dreams away but our foundation.
Anyone who becomes a writer finds himself frequently in the winds of adversity that threaten to rip away at his calling. I’ve quit mentally off and on over decades, but then something new would burn in my heart. I wrote again, often publication resulted, and I am still writing into retirement.
Several times I’ve taken time out over the years to work on my faith and through rewriting rebuild something previously worthless, or to add strengthening beams of learning.
No matter what our goals and dreams are, it helps to know God intimately and to accept His Son as Savior. God is three persons, which includes the Holy Spirit who empowers us and works in our lives. God helps us stand secure, no matter what the circumstances. It is such a privilege to know our Creator watches over us. He notices every sparrow that falls and He sees our needs before we even ask for help.
We can do all things through Him who strengthens us, and there is hope in every situation--even death, because "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Yet as we live on earth and work in His kingdom, we know if He called us, he will complete the work He began in us. Look it up. It's there in Philippians 1:6.
Another scripture says even if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved (our bodies), we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1-3).
That, is hope!

Ratatouille: Follow your passions

Never thought I'd think a rat could be lovable, but while my little grandson sat in his car seat in the van waiting for his mom, we watched the movie, Ratatouille, and I was hooked.
The creators of the wonderful cartoon characters made it believable that a rodent could perch on the top of a garbage boy's head and guide him into creating fabulous recipes for the French dining establishment where the rat's young human friend worked.
Disaster struck, and the garbage boy became the chef. The kitchen crew scrambled about with worry when a food columnist announced he was coming and would rate the food. I understood completely because I wrote a pile of newspaper food stories myself when I was in Lifestyle and we rated different dishes around town occasionally.
It was totally believable when the health department came to close them down, because I've been with environmental health workers as they inspected restaurants. One of our fast food restaurants was closed for a while because one customer found a dead mouse in her chili. Turned out the mouse probably met his demise in the tomato canning factory.
Yet, I was overjoyed when Remy the Rat and his helpful friends escaped from the inspectors and sad when they closed the Parisian Restaurant where the rat and the young chef made fabulous ratatouille, a delicious vegetable dish. Yet, there was the happy ending when the rat and his friend opened another restaurant and the food critic was their best customer.
The theme of the movie is "Follow your passions."
Now some passions are worth pursuing and others are not. Some passions have the capacity to destroy our lives and send us directly to hell. But when you know the Lord, He places a passion in us to know Him, to tell others about Him and the abundant and eternal life He gives. We hunger and thirst after righteousness and are miraculously filled with the peace and joy that goes along with it.
Often the Lord gives us a passion to develop and use our talents for Him and to bless others.
The Message Bible highlights the Psalmist's words: "Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path. He'll give you your place in the sun while you watch the wicked lose it (Psalm 37:33-35).

A good historical romance

Hailee by Penny Zeller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Hailee is another great book from Penny Zeller


In 1965 we stayed in a nice hotel in Downtown Denver. Only a few months later the place sat vacant, an eyesore on the street while the building awaited demolition to make room for a new high rise business building.
So when I read about Hailee Annigan and her brothers trying to survive in a vacant hotel, it was easy for me to imagine the orphans living in such a place, working at the jobs they could find, but sometimes stealing so they could eat.
But I’m getting ahead, or should I say behind? Penny Zeller opens the story with Hailee tying up ends so she can travel to her new teaching job in Montana. Among her tasks is posting her new address around downtown Cincinnati so her long-lost brothers can find her.
In the best use of back story I’ve read, Penny Zeller turns back the clock and we’re with Hailee and the boys in the dark unheated building, wondering where the next meal will come from and whether one of them will be caught by police.
After several narrow escapes, Hailee is caught. Her thievery lands her in jail, but then the Sanctuary of Promise becomes her home and her brothers disappear.
Thus begins a story of struggle, worry, and eventually hope and romance. But what if her suitor discovers her background?
Penny Zeller does a great job with this book, creating characters, and taking us from the present to the past. I ordinarily skip much of the back story, but she didn’t tell it, she showed it in vivid detail, and I enjoyed it.
This is another good book from this author and I recommend it.



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Salt-free Diets

We don't appreciate many things until they're gone. For instance, salt. We sprinkle it here, dump it there, and it seems harmless enough.
Yet, for some people eating salt can cause all sorts of problems. I was at risk for toxemia during my last three pregnancies and the doctor was so strict he told me not even to drink milk or eat celery because these foods contains natural sodium.
Now, too much salt elevates my blood pressure. I have a sis with congestive heart failure and she needs salt-free foods to keep her lungs from filling with fluid.
Since I've been stuck in this dietary desert for much of my life I told her eating food the way God made it isn't so bad. For me it's better than having a stroke, which took my mom's life at age 58 and caused a different sister to lose the verbal part of her brain in her 70s. Forsaking salt is better than not being able to enjoy more years with my children and grandchildren.
I've discovered eggs can be eaten with only pepper, and sometimes I make an omelet with bell peppers, onions -- and when my BP is OK, I melt a little cheese over it.
I usually am on a low-sodium diet, so I eat homemade waffles and pancakes, sometimes a blueberry muffin, oatmeal (I don't even miss the salt in it) with raisins, nuts, cinnamon and brown sugar.
Lunch, usually our main meal, I can have talapia, steak, pork chops, pork steak, chicken and beef and pork roasts and not miss the salt. With grilled steak I have marinated it only with lemon juice and a little garlic or Mrs. Dash, but often I add a little worcestershire sauce.
I sprinkle a little lemon pepper on talapia, which does contain some salt. If I'm eating something that has salt, I eat only a small serving.
Pork roasts I cover with pepper and sliced onion, add water, and cook in a 450-degree oven until the meat thermometer says it is done. Pork chops I use an electric skillet with a lid, heat to the highest heat, add quite a bit of oil, and keep turning them until they're done. I sprinkle Mrs. Dash on the meat the last two times I turn it. Pork steak I cover with a small amount of prepared barbecue sauce and cook in the oven on 300 degrees for two hours,adding a little sauce again when I take it out.
People who are on a low-salt diet and like ham will find if they soak ham slices in warm water, then place it between paper towels and squeeze, much of the salt will come out. When I cook a pot of beans, I add a ham bone with a little meat attached, and no salt.
Fresh or frozen green beans are delicious cooked, not steamed, in a small amount of water on medium-high heat for about five minutes (Watch or it will boil dry). Add unsalted butter. I drain canned vegetables, rinse and cook in water. Corn on the cob is good with only butter.
Lettuce is delicious when you add only vinegar, especially if you top it with mandarin oranges or sliced peaches and a little of the juice. Top salad with red or green grapes, too, and all sorts of different veggies like you would see at a salad bar.
I you have trouble with salt, perhaps some of these ideas will help you.

Book edits show imperfections

Anyone who thinks he's perfect should have his work critiqued or edited.
My editor sent me the edits of my book, Swallowed by Life, recently. Just a glance at the "Track Changes" grinds away at any gradiose ideas about myself.
In my work as a news reporter, the editor's work wasn't so obvious. When I sent a story to the City Desk computer, I didn't see my work again until after it plunked on almost every doorstep in the region. A glance told me if the headline reflected the significance of the news. A read through my lead revealed whether Steve or Chris tweaked it. Most of the time I had no idea what had been cut or changed from the rest of the story because I was too busy to check.
I know my bosses occasionally found clumsy sentences, typos and grammatical errors. Once in a while if I made a complete fool of myself, they'd let me know. When I was a cub reporter, one day the editor yelled across the newsroom and everyone knew about my silly mistake.
Even the family sometimes pointed out my errors. I handed my teenaged daughter, Carolyn, a copy of a free lance article I'd written for a Christian magazine in the days before computers. "Read this and tell me what you think."
She took the pages and sat down on the floor. It wasn't long before her melodious laughter filled the room and she rolled on the floor with glee-- and it was a serious piece. I was about to ask why it was so humorous when she began reading sentences, pronouncing my typographical errors the way they surfaced on the page.
By the time I had five children, I learned they have a way of keeping you humble.
So when the editor sent me the edited copy of "Swallowed by Life" a couple of weeks ago, I didn't cringe in shock at all the marks and comments. I had the sense to accept the majority of them, which were mostly related to style since AP style is ingrained in my writing and I have trouble changing. I accepted the editor's comments with joy because I know they improve the book. I usually do the same with my critique group's suggestions.
When I read the Bible, my imperfections glare out at me even more than they do in my writing. The Word and the Spirit point to weeds in my life that need to be killed or pulled. I try to have the same attitude I have with editors because I know when the Lord works in me, I'll be much better for it. Not always easy, though, and often tears come as I realize how imperfect I am.
But the joy is, I serve a sinless, perfect, holy and just Lord whose blood covers my imperfections because I asked Him to.

The Goal Line

I became a football fan in 1977 or 1978 and watched the Denver Broncos go all the way to the Super Bowl.
My middle daughter and I would yell during games until my youngest girl said, “If you’re going to carry on that way, shut the windows!”
I guess I thought I could help those players across the goal line.
My writing ministry should concentrate on goals, too. Sometimes I feel like a linebacker crunched a helmet into my belly and I’m on the turf. With experience, however, I’m learning my problem isn’t so much defense—it’s my offense.
First, am I suiting up properly in the whole armor of God with the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, shield of faith, Sword of the Spirit and my feet fitted with the cleats of readiness on my shoes? (Ephesians 6:11-18).
Second, am I talking to and listening to my coach? The Apostle Paul tells the Philippians he keeps straining to reach the prize, forgetting what is behind and pressing toward the mark. He’s talking about knowing God and attaining eternal life—but there is an underlying theme of ministry, too.
Third, am I looking at the “field” and using the tools available to reach the goal?
Basic is defining the goal. Am I planting, watering and picking beans or wheat? Different methods are needed for each harvest field. With my teen novel, the “Work in Progress,” a linebacker-sized problem stopped me and I lost yardage. I assumed it was a Young Adult novel, where it’s OK to have 85,000 words. The agent who is interested in my book proposal, however, says it’s “middle grade” genre and although I’ve cut 15,000 words, it needs to be 50,000.
Studying markets more might have prevented turning the field over to defense.
This year I intend to use strategy for other writing projects. I will study more Christian magazines, the Christian Writers Market Guide, look at more publishers’ websites. I’m already an avid book reader.
If I were a poet, I’d look at greeting cards, study their poems, look at poetry markets, contact them for guidelines, and send poems. (You never reach the goal unless you catch the ball and take the first step.)
But I need to look at what is in my hand. That’s what God told Moses when the Patriarch went before Pharaoh. Moses had a shepherd’s staff that God used dramatically to bring the Israelites to their goal . I have my teen novel, two non-fiction books almost ready for publication, and ideas and several articles on the bench.
Next, I’ll need to take the shortest route to the goal: Start with good ideas that fit the market; write with clarity; use facts, senses, illustrations, emotion, color, humor; construct concise active sentences that sing when read aloud; rewrite and edit.
Finally, I’ll participate in a critique group. Then I will be ready for the referee’s whistle and the handoff of the ball. Perhaps I’ll have winners!
You can win, too, at whatever God has called you to do when follow the play book, listen to the Coach, put on the uniform, and put your energy into winning the Ultimate Prize: Hearing Jesus say, well done!