Things you said about a mission

You said

I was on a dangerous mission.

I was wishing

You hadn't say that.

Later.

But, then again.

I wanted to be very-

Cool.

At the time.


Dangerous,

In all the perilous ways,

you meant.

Not the hip, pop culture ways.

Unless, one counts being

counter-counter-cultural,

before everybody else

figures out how to.


Everyone is starting to think

Life is a movie staring them.

But reality is a story staring God.

How tricky

At the plot's climax

When it turns out

You are not the protagonist

after all.


It's a dangerous mission

To break the bad news

And call it Good News,

Even if it can save some one

From him self

He will probably only

Just hate you

For trashing his movie.

I'm... seriously... almost famous

We're all almost famous. Those mathematical 6 degrees of separation are not too far for any of us. It can be creepy to think of it sometimes.

I shook President Clinton's hand one time, no twice. This was when he visited my university. It was also before the Monica news broke. I started washing my hands more after that media frenzy. The "I know someone that knows someone" thing is really true. We've all been close to greatness, infamy, or something of that sort.

It was super fantastic to read Michael Hyatt's blog yesterday. His "From where I sit" blog is awfully amazing. For those of you unaware or illiterate, Michael is the CEO of the world's most successful Christian publisher Thomas Nelson. Hyatt gave great advice for first time authors (that would be me) so, obviously, I read it. Lo and behold, he listed my agent as one of three noteworthy agent bloggers to read. That's some nice street cred. Surprisingly my thought wasn't to have that feeling like, gosh, gee, I almost know him, (in a weird way).

Instead, I thought about how gracious people can be. Chip MacGregor is a talented, gracious agent who, obviously, takes a few charity cases. I'm working on some cool things, and, sometime soon we're going to see what deals we can swing. No matter what happens, I hope the same graciousness, the same goodness will be imbued into the character of my projects, because that is what matters most to me. All that other "being famous" stuff, or whatever you could try to call it, it's a means to an end that doesn't count for things beyond a short end.

Just today I was reading my Christian Spiritual Direction book assignment for grad class, and it actually said how you introduce yourself shows the self you want to live out of. This is really an attached self, a part of who you are. Mainly this is a false self. The things we have and do are not us at all. It is only the us that can be found in the identity with Christ that becomes the true self. Not a diminished self, but a fully human self, body and spirit.

I am famous, you could say, with Christ, but not almost famous. I'm awash in abounding love.

Weekend Haikus

Gray clouds mummer
Pink petals upraised
A flower wishes



Leafy groundcover
Crawling life mixed in cool earth
Dirt under my nails



Ivy, ferns, beetles
Canopy of outdoor art
Vivacious surfeit

Rain is good for. . .

1) Making cookies

2) Remembering that flowers grow

3) Snuggling under blankets (indoors, obviously)

4) Catching up with old friends (on the phone or in a letter)

5) Eating soup

6) Getting cozy with a good book, and a person at same time preferably

7) Philosophy

8) Looking for rainbows

Today's Afternoon Summer Rain

All the leaves are singing

with tiny drops of rain--

right now.

And the breeze is caressing my hair

as is blows in through the window,

and summer has its way.

The patters and droplets

are punctuating something

just out of reach,

but cool and familiar,

and almost mine.

The puddles are deepening,

and the streets are washing clean.

Things are smelling fresh again and free and light,

as evening approaches.

DEAR CHRISTIAN- YOU MIGHT NEED MEDS IF. . . .

SO, HERE"S THE THING. . .

I've been taking a short break from this wonderful summer weather, enjoying the great outdoors, and playing with my fun kids, and I've been around some blogs lately. I'll be honest, I've been really surprised!

The folks with the Christian worldview (supposedly) have been awfully self-centered and negative. However... to my surprise (and I dare say, my chagrin) the secular folks, (and some former strays from the faith) are down right fun, positive, funny, interesting, and worth reading in general. The first thought to cross my mind was. . . is there an outbreak of clinical depression going on? I'm sensing real discontent, even whining. . . What's with the oppressive tone?

So, listen... .if you're down and troubled, and you need a helping hand. And nothing, no nothing is going right--set up an appoint with your primary care physician. It's nothing to be ashamed of to seek medical treatment and pharmaceutical remedies in times of need. And yes, Jesus will be right with you, too. Doctors are professionals there to help you. Anti-depressants can be that little boost you may need to begin anew.

When your worldview isn't doing the job, you may need some community, and you may also need some meds. Really. It's okay.