Immersed in History

I've stepped back in time today. I know this isn't a great photo, but it shows my town from years ago. I actually have a list of businesses and townspeople from 1878, and I'm charting them on a map of my own making.

The more I chart the town, the more I can see my character walking past each of the businesses. Once I finish this, I'll be able to finalize my characters too... at least to some degree. :)

This book has taken a lot of detailed research to make sure I get things accurate. I'm getting excited as I get one step closer to actually beginning the writing process. Hopefully within a day or two I'll actually be able to start the novel.

For now.... you'll find me immersed in history.

A New Look

I saw this video on FB this morning.

New Face on Dolls

It made me think of this verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17-18.

When anyone lives in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone! The new is here! All this is from God. He brought us back to himself through Christ’s death on the cross. And he has given us the task of bringing others back to him through Christ. (NIRV)

What a sweet reminder of the new life Christ gives us when we ask Him to forgive our sins and ask Him to enter our hearts. He provides us with a totally new look.

Is your face showing the 'new look' you have in Christ? 

Stepping Up

My husband is participating in a Men's Bible study and they are studying the book Stepping Up by Dennis Rainey. That imagery of stepping up has been on my mind lately.

Perhaps you are more like me and you thrive on NOT being in the forefront. You're happy to be in the sidelines. I have to ask myself though, when it comes to the things that are important in my life and in my faith, am I stepping up or shrinking back? Am I like an ostrich, sticking my head in the sand and pretending nothing is going on around me?

I'm reminded of this verse in Hebrews 10:38-39.

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

I know my natural tendency when faced with opposition or a stressful situation is to clam up.Not necessarily a good thing.

So the question I have to ask myself... and perhaps you too... Am I stepping up in the areas that count? If not, how can I change?