Learning Strength from others

I recently returned from a mission trip, where I met some great people. On this trip, we attended a crusade, where we met a young Argentine man who told the story of his life, one spiralling out of control until he finally allowed God to help him. That's courage, bravery. Strength. Exposing your vulnerabilities.

When I returned, and discovered I'd been selected to receive tickets to Regis and Kelly Live! on Prince Edward Island, I took the bravery I'd seen in South America and encouraged myself with it.

After the show, I gave Kelly Ripa's assistant, my August book, Silent Protector. He was impressed by the fact I was an author, and promised to give it to her.

Oddly, in this book, two people learn to trust God. That Argentine man learned to trust God. I should, too. The book's core message of love and trust and faith like a child might appeal to Kelly Ripa. But I know that whoever reads that copy, and I have faith that someone will, they'll find two people learning courage and strength. I saw courage in South America. I saw courage in my two fictional characters. I needed it that day, and found it in myself, as I walked up to the stage where Kelly and Regis were just wrapping up their last show on the Island. I know it will touch someone's life, and I pray Silent Protector will touch yours. There are so many out there who live difficult lives, and show their courage each day. Let's show ours. Let's trust God to show us the way to go.

Blessings,

Barbara Phinney

murder and mercy

When the Barbour started up their mystery club, a few folks were startled that their Christian cozy mysteries had murders in them. How can killing fit into an inspirational book? The question amuses me because the most inspirational book of all, the Bible, is full of violence. As a matter of fact, the world is full of violence, wouldn’t you agree? That’s why we desperately need our Christian faith to give us something to hang onto in this treacherous world. So why put a murder in a Christian fiction book? Because it allows for the expression of that rock solid faith amidst the backdrop of spine tingling uncertainty. Faith doesn’t keep us out of trouble, and our books should reflect that fact. Plus, I need to confess, I do enjoy delivering that firm stroke of justice that often escapes evildoers in this life. In Christian suspense, you know the bad folks will be punished. You know spirits will be redeemed and the protagonists will wind up in a reasonably happy relationship. It’s what people long for in their day to day lives and we authors are blessed enough to deliver it in the pages of our books. Life and death, heartache and happiness, blend together in a soul satisfying read.

What does a hero look like?

A hero is a big muscular guy who runs into burning buildings, hacks down doors with an ax and makes the big save, right? Sure, that’s a hero for sure but my newest book, Flashover, takes a deeper look. What if the firefighter was a woman? And what if her entire identity/self worth was wrapped up in her high profile job? And what if she was injured in an arson fire and taken off duty for a while?
Since my husband is in the fire service, I am somewhat familiar with the culture. Many little boys (and even a few girls) from the time they are preschoolers, look up to firefighters as larger than life heroes and indeed, they are. I won’t ever forget watching the towers fall on 9/11, knowing that scores of firefighters had just fought their way through the smoke and debris into the building to begin rescue efforts. I kept asking my husband over and over as the structures crumbled and fell. “But they’ll get out won’t they?” He didn’t answer me because he knows the code. Firefighters are first in, last out. They are heroes, without question, willing to lay down their lives for complete strangers.
But not all heroes wear badges and charge in with sirens screaming. Day to day, we are surrounded by them. Regular folks with nobility of spirit. Sometimes it takes real courage to stand quietly beside someone else, with no applause, no adulation from the masses. Sometimes it is the steadfast heart, the resolve to do the right thing even when no one is looking, the decision to love thy neighbor when it’s so very hard to do, that makes a hero out of an ordinary Joe or Jane.
One of the greatest heroes I’ve ever encountered is a woman whose name I don’t even know. She saw my distress, my terror for myself and my unborn child and she left her desk to come and hold my hand. I never knew her name. I don’t think she ever really knew mine. But I won’t forget that day, the gentle squeeze of her hand and her decision to be a hero for me in that moment.
The Bible says, “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
What better defines a hero than that?

Is the Suspense killing you?

Made you wait, didn't I? One day, I will get accustomed to my new blogging schedule. And one day, my house will be clean and I will cook a nice meal for my family. Are you laughing as hard as I am right now? Writing suspense is fun because it allows me to do things that I normally wouldn't do in real life, such as jump out of planes or chase bad guys. Okay, I have actually chased a few bad guys but just because they cut me off in traffic! Once I had a bit of a race with a semi-trailer truck on the Interstate. And I drive a Miata. Imagine me, zooming alone in a car that is like a "go-cart on steriods" as one friend called it and glaring up at this big monster truck, with a big monster trucker glaring back at me. Who do you think won that one?
I did pass him and zoom away with integrity and grace--or at least I hope that's how I looked. Anyway, in my books I can create scenes such as this and actually get away with doing it. Suspense is a challenge as a writer and requires a bit more research than most stories. You know, all those gadgets and secretive things are interesting to research and very valuable for making a story realistic. But I often worry about having to kill off characters. I guess it's better to do that in a book, however, than in real life!

But the suspense of life is what makes it exciting. Have you ever had something scary happen to you and then you laugh about it later. Or maybe you've had a truly scary event in your life that has made you feel more vulnerable and not so safe?
Sometimes, it can be fun waiting to see what's around the bend and other times, it can be very frightening. It was a dark and stormy night can apply to many things in life. But ... even in the worst of times we have to remember that God is our refuge and our strength. There is no suspense in faith, because faith is the substance of things hoped for, the unseen things that bring assurance and courage, rather than the unseen things that only bring worry and fright. I hope that even in times of great suspense, you can turn to God and know that He will be your strength and your shield. Oh, and if you happen to see a little blue Miata chasing a trucker on the Interstate, just throw up your hand and wave. That would be me, pretending to be a spy!

Lenora :)