To Dad, With Love

Since Sunday is Father's Day, I'll join everyone else who may be writing on this topic right about now. My dad, Phil, is a retired Baptist minister. He preached in the same church for over 30 years. For those of you not familiar with the pastorate, that's an amazing accomplishment. Some denominations even require their pastors to change churches every couple of years. But, thankfully, Dad stayed right here, in this wonderful Indiana town where I grew up, for most of my life. We moved here when I was three, so this town, this church. is all I know.

When my first book was published, my dad told me how proud he was of me. He said I was the first person in his whole family to have a book published. But my accomplishment seems little next to what Dad did every Sunday of his life. And still does, if he's asked to fill in for other pastors. He spoke the true word of God to his parishioners. Actually in front of people. I didn't inherit the gene from him for public speaking. I'd rather have someone poke me in the eye. Repeatedly.

But even more than Dad preaching every Sunday, was what he did throughout the week. And I'm not talking about the many hours he put in visiting, counseling, and praying. I'm talking about writing. Yes, that's right. My dad is a writer. He took God's inspiration and wrote down the words in his heart. Words he knew would speak to anyone who listened. His sermons are so meaningful, and easy to follow, I could even glean something from them when I was very young. He comes up with some of the most humorous stories you'd ever hear. It's fun for me to check out the faces in the congregation of people who've never listened to a minister with a sense of humor. Some of them are stunned! Aren't men of God supposed to be stoic, dry, boring? No way! Dad is a craftsman with words. An artist of them, if you will.

Even though I didn't inherit his public speaking gene, I'm thankful I at least got some of his storytelling one. Without that gift from God, passed to me through my dad, I wouldn't be so fortunate as to be a published writer today.

Thanks Dad. I love you.

Whispers of the Muse

My books are included in a wonderful Christmas gift guide at Whispers of the Muse. Check out all of the fantastic authors and the books they've written:

http://www.whispersofthemuse.org/GiftGuide/GiftFrame.html

I am always so appreciative of authors/blog owners who are generous enough with their time and effort to host other authors on their sites.

Thank You, God, for Special Gifts

On this very special day to be thankful for our families, friends, online friends, country and freedom of religion and life, I'm also thankful for the gift of writing. Because that's what it is: a gift. If God didn't give me the quirky ideas, active imagination and spare time to put them down on paper (or laptop), my writing would never get farther than fleeting thoughts and wishful thinking.

What's a gift God has given you that you can be thankful for?

Use Your Gifts Wisely

I just finished reading a novel where the main character learns to use his God-given gift. In his case it was photography. I loved the book. It was interesting and a good read. But besides that, it got me to thinking. Am I using the gifts God has given me wisely? Or do I squander them and even take them for granted sometimes. I already know the answer to that question and I don't like it. Yes, I do take them for granted sometimes. Reading this book gave me a good swift kick right where I needed it. We are all given some kind of gift. It's unique to every person. First, you have to discover it. It's already there, at least the potential for it is inside you, waiting to emerge and blossom. Once you've identified what it is, allow it to grow. Use it for God. He'll show you exactly how to use it best and wisely.

I'm ready to use mine. Are you?