Sharing Time and Space

I had the privilege of being invited to share a vendor booth at the Hamfest Festival last weekend with fellow author, Steve Newman. This was an annual event in Huntsville, sponsored by Ham radio operators. While this venue would not be in my list of "niche markets", I excitedly accepted the invitation, looking forward to the two day event.

Saturday morning dawned ominously. As I got into the truck, ready for the hour drive to Huntsville, I turned the key with absolutely no result. I couldn't believe the battery was dead! Waking my husband at 7 am on a Saturday when he didn't have to work was not on my "to do" list. But he graciously got up and jumped off my vehicle. This put me fifteen minutes behind schedule, and I really wanted to make a good impression on my author friend!

Without any further difficulties, however, I arrived at the venue with time to spare. We were set up inside the Von Braun Center, and I was amazed at the number of booths there! 9am arrived and hoards of people began to mill around. Steve and I were both excited by the turn out and eagerly awaited the chance to talk with people about our books.

Steve's book, "The Night Eagles Soared", drew many people's attention, and he had the opportunity to share with many fellow military men. One gentleman in particular will remain in my memory for a long time. He was an elderly man, in his eighties, I would think. As he and Steve talked, this man began to share his military experiences, siting that he had landed in Egypt during WWII. He said his squadron was known as the Falcons, and was intrigued by the title of Steve's book. This gentleman went on to say he was writing his own memoirs, but only had about seventy pages written. We both encouraged him to continue and to get that book finished! He eventually purchased Steve's book and bid us farewell.

The next day was Sunday, and as predicted by a Hamfest veteran, was not as busy as the previous day. However, a couple of hours into our day, Steve and I observed this same gentleman returning to our booth! He had in his hand a computer printed copy of his manuscript. He had come back to the Hamfest just to bring Steve a copy of his book, saying he only gave them out to his friends. It was full of pictures, poems he had written, and I even glimpsed a letter from President Franklin D. Roosevelt!

I was so overwhelmed by the generosity of this elderly gentleman, the immediate camaraderie between him and Steve, and the way he reminded me of my own grandfathers, both of whom had served in the armed forces, that I only managed to hold myself together until after he had walked away. Unfortunately, I think my unexpected tears may have scarred Steve for life (I'm going to have to use that encounter in a book somewhere, Steve!) and he quickly left to find some napkins. I think it was an excuse to escape the crazy crying woman!

As far as book sales go, the event would not make my top five. But the opportunity to work alongside another author, to be able to share ideas and experiences, and to have that single memory to cherish made the weekend a huge success! Many thanks again to Steve and his delightful wife, Brig, for allowing me to be a part of it!

Great Children's Book!

I had the pleasure of reading "Caroline and Rebecca: Rebecca Gets into Trouble" by Alyssa Pierce recently. As I was reading it, the teacher in me began to plan out ways to use this book in the classroom...and I thought of all my friends that teach in the younger grades who would enjoy having this book to use with teaching character education!

Caroline and Rebecca are best friends. Caroline is the more responsible of the two, while Rebecca is more adventurous. The story tells of an afternoon when the two play together in the park. When it begins to get late and time to go home, Rebecca is not ready yet. What happens (or could have happened) when Rebecca chooses to stay in the park past dark is a wonderful teaching tool. It is thankfully resolved in a way that reinforces parental concern and the importance of making good choices.

The author tells the story in a charming rhyme that children will enjoy. I would recommend this book for parents of young children and teachers of up to second grade. Ms. Pierce also has a website where she has developed lessons to go along with her book! Check them out at www.alyssapierce.com.

Thoughts on Leaving the Church

It always saddens me when a public figure denounces Christianity. Apparently this week we received another blow from author, Anne Rice. Her comments were something like this: she would remain a follower of Christ, but could no longer tolerate the bickerings of Christians and the intolerance of Christianity.

I experienced a glimmer of understanding with her opinion. I have been involved in churches all my life. And often times Christians don't act like Christ. There is power struggle, arguments over doctrine, exclusivity, and lack of commitment within churches. There are valid reasons why we have terms like "pew warmers", "back-sliders", and "back-row baptists". These are reasons why we see church splits. It is a sad testimony that we show the world sometimes.

Ms. Rice also gave a list of several different "I will not be anti-______" statements. Some of those confused me, because I would not consider myself or the fellow Christians I know to be "anti-____." But unfortunately, I have also heard Christians make statements such as, "In order to be a good Christian, you have to be Republican." I agree with Ms. Rice on that point...I don't know anywhere in the Bible where Jesus proclaimed a preference for any political party.

However, that is where my understanding of and agreement with Ms. Rice's views end. In order to be a follower of Christ, we must follow his teachings. We get those teachings from scripture. The Bible is his word, and there are some teachings that are not politically correct or socially acceptable in today's world. I do not apologize for that. I would not presume to change those teachings to meet with the approval of the world. I am not God.

It is unfortunate to me that sometimes the very people who loudly and publicly proclaim the cause of Christ do so in a manner that send people running screaming in the opposite direction. Jesus gave us two great commandments, according to the scripture. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength and will all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matt. 22:37-39. He also gave us standards by which to live. Read the Matthew chapters 5-8 for starters. These standards are difficult and even impossible for us to live up to on our own. That is why he gives us the Holy Spirit--his strength and power. That is also why he is the God of forgiveness and grace. It is shameful when Christians do not balance the teaching of Christ's standards with his greatest commands, which are to "love".

One more point I would make in reference to Mr. Rice's opinion. As Christians we mess up...all the time. Those who proclaim not to are lying. But Paul teaches that we, the church, are the body of Christ. We cannot exist outside of that body. We are called to a community, a fellowship...to continue to share the gospel of Good News together. To be a true follower of Christ, one must follow all of his teachings, which includes coming together with other believers. Like it or not, we are a family.