Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Seashore Shots

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Remade

God blessed me with the opportunity to share my testimony last night.

I guess I should be looking for opportunities to do this on a daily basis. But. My story is a long one. Very long.

God has been so good to me. So very, very good to restore and remake a life that had no hope.

And even after I shook my dusty fist at Him in my intention to control my own destiny that I ended up making sure my life was nothing but dust and dead skin cells and regret. And when I finally handed it over to Him, He shaped, shifted and molded those bits of despair into something that shouts of His magnificent power and grace.

Thank You, thank You, thank You, God Almighty, Author and Creator of the good bits of my life and redeemer of my messes.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Literary Look Alike? I'd Be Honored

I have barely been able to read for weeks. A page here and there, if that. I did finish this novel though. This is the one I mentioned several weeks ago.

My critique partner e-mailed me out of the blue and told me that I needed to read this book. That the author's voice is very similar to my own. Then I discovered the book in my pile. It had been randomly mailed to me. How could I not read it? It's like being told you look like someone's twin. You eventually have to look at that person's picture for an idea of how people may see you. (I'm saying you...maybe it's not true for you, but I felt the need. I do want to leave a positive taste in people's mouths.)

This book, The Girl with Glass Feet is written in my least favorite Point of View, omniscient, and is fantasy, one of my least favorite genres. I was a little scared to pick it up. And this crit partner is one I wanted to please...her kind comments meant more than just about anyone else's. So,nseeing what she considered a literary similarity was a curious and horrifying thing especially within a book that was so unlike what I usually chose to read.

And then I opened it and began to read. Here are my thoughts about the book. And if there are similarities in my writing and Ali Shaw's, then I'm humbled and honored.

My Review:

I'm surprised that I loved this book. Usually fantasy leaves me cold as stone because I struggle getting beyond the extremely foreign and sometimes bizarre details and often I don't connect with the characters because of that struggle. An omniscient point of view is my least favorite, too. Girl With Glass Feet is both fantasy and borderline omniscient. To overcome these issues the story must be amazing and the writing must be compelling. Girl With Glass Feet delivers on both.

Set on an island that is both magical and brutal, it is a story of loss and of love. A tragedy and a hope, life and death struggles with flashes of breathtaking beauty, and characters who ache with unresolved pain. Shaw's prose is artistic and he treats his characters with a respectful tenderness. I opened the book because of the unique premise but the pages turned because the story captured my heart.

Readers who don't like the pace of literary fiction may not love the wistful and meandering turns this book travels at times. Those who love romance and hate a tinge of tragedy probably won't love Girl With Glass Feet. If you can't do F-bombs, there are enough that you may struggle with the read. But character collectors and lovers of whimsy and poignancy should consider giving it a read.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Borrowed Sunshine...

The weather is a little gray.

There are no flowers even hinting that they may poke out and visit...

So I'm borrowing some Chilean blooms.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Terra Firma

Sometimes I take life for granted.

That's a vast understatement...I actually almost always take life for granted.

I take God for granted. I know He's there. I know He loves me, so therefore, I move forward in trust that He knows I love Him and that He'll steer me onto the path He wants me on. But I often neglect to actually talk to Him about all of the above.

Lately I've also taken terra firma for granted. Including the terra firma of the United States economic and political climates. The recent Chile experiences have reminded me that this life is not guaranteed to be safe and without challenges and that my security does not lie in dirt or mortar or ideas and legislation.

Finally, I take the air I breathe for granted. A near and dear one has been fighting pneumonia. Talking brings on coughing fits. Walking up the stairs steals strength and air. Tonight I got to watch this very important person sleeping soundly and without coughing.

A breath of fresh air.

Thank You, Lord.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ A Few More Photos from Chile

Guest Blog ~ Leaving Hurryville

Leaving Hurryville

(Comments From a Former Resident)

by Frankie D. Sherman

A big concern of Christian women is the epidemic of shallow relationships among women. In an age when broken marriages, moral decline, and unbelievable heartache are frighteningly high, our God-given support system is lacking.

What happened? Why do we know more people than ever before, yet know very little about each other? Why do we know more about the latest celebrity break-up, yet very little about the young woman in our church going through her own divorce?

Unfortunately, we live in Hurryville. Hurry and get the kids to school. Hurry and get to work. Hurry to Bible study. Hurry to the ball field. Hurry! Girl Hurry! In this “hurry up, see you later” world we don’t take the time to invest in relationships like the generations before us did. Our busy lives leave very little time to invest in meaningful relationships.

Because of this, we are suffering. We miss wonderful opportunities to reach others for Christ and to strengthen others in the body of Christ.

How about you and I change the busyness in our circle of influence by adjusting our schedules and priorities? We can start right now to focus on the relationships in our circle of influence as the nurturing women God designed us to be.

Becoming a better friend is something believers should focus on, because it can impact the world for the Christ.

So where do we begin?

• Leave Hurryville-without a forwarding address! It’s a choice and a hard one. But God is faithful and he will help you with this lifestyle change.
• Pray, and read God Word.
• Schedule time with friends; ask them how they are and what’s up in their life.
• Engage in meaningful conversation about them and how the Lord is working in their life.
• Leave the cell phone turned off during your time together.
• Share good books, good tips, good information and good food.

If your friend is a single mom, widow, health issue, or has problems at home, always be sensitive to her needs or situation. You are not “the solution” but you can show her you care through your friendship. God will provide the wisdom concerning boundaries and blessings.

I left Hurryville, many years ago. Sometimes my old nature tries to pull me back. But I learned the value of meaningful friendships and Hurryville doesn’t compare. Should you decide to leave Hurryville too let me know. We can sit on the porch and enjoy chat together.

BOOK FRANKIE FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

About the author:

Frankie Sherman is a national speaker, comedian, and Bible teacher for conferences, retreats, and women's events. She fell in love with Jesus at Vacation Bible School and takes every opportunity to tell others about the joy of being alive in Christ. She is a former choreographer for the Georgia Peach Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl Halftime Show. Her specialty is in theater musical/productions. Her first Bible Study, Why We Need Girlfriends is based on the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth, from Luke's gospel. Two women brought together by extraordinary circumstances by an extraordinary God. Frankie is from South Carolina—loves sweet tea, BIG hair and her grand-girls. She believes there will never be another Elvis. And knows that her Jesus will return for her soon.