A Namaan Complex

Recently my husband asked me to do a few things, and I have to admit that my response wasn't too good. There’s nothing glorious nor grand about wiping down cupboards, washing ceiling fan fixtures and especially about scrubbing hard water marks out of toilets, but they are things that need to be done, and they do fall into the things I'm responsible for. You see, I have a Naaman complex.

Naaman was angry because the prophet Elisha wouldn’t even come out to speak to him, and he was a great, important man. Too many times I get caught up in my own importance, which is truly laughable because I’m not great, nor important, to anybody except maybe my family. Just like Naaman, I tend to stand there and sputter and fume about why I need to do such menial tasks.

So Naaman raced away in his chariot. Thankfully he had wise servants who helped him see how silly he was being and the result was that he went to the Jordan River. Did he quit when he saw no results after going under six times? If he had, he would’ve died a leper. Did he understand why it had be seven times? Did he moan about seven? Did he try to bargain it down to five? The Bible just says he dipped himself seven times as he was instructed to. Like Naaman, I don’t need to know why, I just need to obey, without moaning or bargaining.

For Naaman, it came down to complete obedience. He had faith, why else would he have undertaken such a long journey? But faith without obedience would have left him a leper. I have faith, but if I don’t obey God my faith will grow cold.

For the Christian, the secret to our spiritual growth lies in obedience. That means being faithful in the multitude of little things because it’s through obeying in the mundane and menial things, that we learn faithfulness for the bigger things. If I won't do the simple things my husband has asked me to do, things that make perfect sense to me, will I do the things God asks me to do--things that make no sense to me?

Even though I may start like Naaman did, fuming and raging because things aren’t going as I expected and because I’ve been asked to do some things that I don't want to do, I'm going to make sure I end like Naaman did: faithfully obeying.

Naaman's account is found in 2 Kings 5:1-14.
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I was scrolling through my index recently and noticed this post--one of my early ones here at Patterings. It really snagged my attention, so I thought I'd post it again since it's something I needed hear.

We also have a winner today! Last week Darlene Franklin was with us and the winner of her new release, Wild West Christmas is Charity! Thanks so much for being with us, Darlene! It was a treat. =)

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What'cha Reading?

Amy Bayliss is doing this and I loved it, so I thought I'd play along...

It's said that you can tell alot about a person by the books on their bookshelf and what they're reading. Here's the books I'm reading at the moment...















So, what does this tell you about me?
Want to play along? Leave me a link in the comments and one at Amy's, too.
We'd love to know what you're reading!! =)

Don't forget this week's book giveaway with Darlene Franklin!!

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with Darlene Franklin

Welcome back to Patterings, Darlene!
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
After writing seriously for almost two decades, I decided to make the jump to write full-time. Several factors came together to make me take the plunge. I left my job of 10 years to move closer to family. With the move, I received severance pay, so I have a small financial cushion. I’ve added hours of caring for an aging mother and my infant granddaughter—so I could either work at a “real” job or write, but not do both. So I decided to write full time and so far God has blessed that decision.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite?
You’re asking me to choose my favorite child! I enjoyed writing the Grace Gulch (“Dressed for Death”) Series; Cici, Audie, Jenna, Dina, Cord and company became a part of me and I hated to say good-bye. Of my romances, I think I enjoyed writing Dressed in Scarlet (in Snowbound Colorado Christmas) the most. After all, how many times does the book you’re writing give you an excuse to stay at a swank hotel?

LoL. That must've been some tough research you did for that one!
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Juggling multiple projects is a skill I am learning. My next Heartsong book (Prodigal Patriot) was due on the editor’s desk on November 1st; I had seven devotions and two blogs to submit by November 3rd. I also finished up a book proposal for an interested editor and, oh, yes, I have a novella to write ... you get the picture. I have to keep the dates and deadlines straight and not let them creep up on me.

Oh. my. That's enough to give me shivers, Darlene!
Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
I loved Lucy Ames’s character in my novella in Wild West Christmas. Lucy “runs away and joins the circus.” She doesn’t really run away (her father knows where she is) but she does join a Wild West show as a sharpshooter like Annie Oakley. I wish I had her skill and daring in facing down a black bear!

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Starting a new book is hard. I don’t know the characters until I’ve written several chapters. Those first chapters are also the hardest to revise, because the characters and plot weren’t well defined when I wrote them. By the time I reach the end of the book, my fingers are flying and I know where I’m headed.

I won’t talk about housecleaning and running errands and ... As a friend just told me, housecleaning is highly overrated.

LoL You're right about house cleaning!
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I probably read 9 (or more) fiction books to every nonfiction book I read. Fiction I split mostly between mystery and romance. Every now and then I read a “classic” which reminds me how very much I have left to learn.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
My life experiences keep popping into my books. My mother is aging and her health is failing; she had her heart valve replaced a year ago. A stroke this past summer left her with some short term memory loss. I didn’t plan on weaving that into my stories—but it’s there. The hero’s father in Prodigal Patriot (coming out from Heartsong next July) has a stroke; and the heroine’s father in Face of Mary (in A Woodlands Christmas, next Christmas) suffers from memory loss.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Next summer, Barbour will publish Prodigal Patriot, the first of three historical romances set in Vermont. The Patriot son of a Tory father struggles to balance his political beliefs and his growing love for a lovely Patriot woman with the command to honor his father.

After that, my novella Face of Mary will appear in A Woodlands Christmas. Gabe Noël, a woodcarver, travels through east Texas creating works of art and romance in his wake. In my story, Lawyer and amateur artist Joseph Carpenter searches for the perfect woman to be the “face of Mary” for the manger scene Gabe is making for the church.

Sometime soon (possibly next year) my Rhode Island historical, Beacon of Love, will be repackaged with Master’s Match by Tamela Hancock Murray and All that Glitters by Lynette Sowell.

Wow! What a great line-up, Darlene! Thanks so much for being with us this week!

You can purchase Wild West Christmas from CBD and Amazon:

Darlene is giving away a copy of Wild West Christmas. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment and check back on Sunday, November 8th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on each post in this spotlight. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is void where prohibited; open only to U.S. addresses, odds of winning depend on number of entrants. No purchase necessary. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar and purchasing I will receive a small percentage of the sale.

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meet Darlene Franklin

Today's a triple header! Not only do we have an author spotlight here, but I'm also posting At the Well with Conquer the Krudzu, but I'm also at Exemplify with A Beautiful Ugly. I'd love to have you join me there!

Now, Darlene is one brave lady! Not only did I not scare her away with my ditziness when we set up our first spotlight for 365 Daily Whispers of Wisdom for Single Moms, but she came back for a second round with Lucy Ames, Sharpshooter. =) And I'm so glad she did! And now, here's Darlene...

Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin resides in the Colorado foothills with her mother and her lynx point Siamese cat Talia. One daughter has preceded her into glory; her son and his family live in Oklahoma. She loves music, needlework, reading and reality tv. She has published six books, with six more on the way. Visit Darlene’s blog.





Wild West Christmas
Romance takes root in the lives of a Texas rancher's four daughters. Charlsey Ames loves being a cowhand until a dandy tenderfoot from the city begins opening her eyes to unexplored territory. Sharpshooter Lucy Ames takes a shot at love while traveling with a Wild West show. Horse-trainer Sarah Ames finds herself falling for a suspicious drifter with a gentle hand. Tracker Bessie Mae Ames is being trailed by a handsome yet guarded Texas Ranger. Will love corral these Lone Star ladies hearts this Christmas?

Lucy Ames, Sharpshooter
Can you ride? Rope a calf? Shoot a nickel at fifty paces? Major Paulson’s Wild West Show is seeking skilled cowboys and cowgirls. If travel and adventure appeal to you, we want to talk with YOU. Come to the picnic ground on the Guadalupe River on Thursday morning prepared to showcase your skill.

Lucy Ames clutched the ad from the weekly Horsefly Herald Gazette in her hand. She’d read and reread the page until the ink had smudged. Could her dreams at last be coming true?

You can purchase Wild West Christmas from CBD and Amazon:

Darlene is giving away a copy of Wild West Christmas. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment and check back on Sunday, November 8th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on each post in this spotlight. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is void where prohibited; open only to U.S. addresses, odds of winning depend on number of entrants. No purchase necessary. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar and purchasing I will receive a small percentage of the sale.

We'll see you tomorrow with an interview with Darlene. Join us then!

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Finding Focus

Today's a new day for me here at Patterings and my new header is part of it...but first, our winner. Robin Prater is the winner of Jenness Walker's book, Double Take. Congratulations, Robin and thank you, Jenness!

One of the things that I've been mulling over for a few months is my tagline. I know, on the scale of important things in life, a tagline isn't too far up, but still, it's been niggling at the back of my mind. Why? Because I've found that my tagline helps define and direct my my energies and I need all the help there I can get! LoL

For a long time I used 'Dancing through the showers of life.' After all, it's part of of what I write about and is even part of how I approach life. But it just wasn't a good fit, so I was mulling things over, casting around for ideas.

Awhile back I was privileged to be in the blog spotlight in the Exemplify Magazine and in my introduction, Kristen used the words “find the ordinary to be extraordinary.” Since then, those words have been running around in my head while I was still back pedaling. That was a big 'whoa baby!' for me. Finally I emailed one of my near-and-dears, Joanne, and told her what I was thinking and playing with. Five minutes later, after playing with words and wording, she sent me the suggestion of 'Finding the extraordinary God in our ordinary lives.' As soon as I read it, I knew it was a fit. THE fit I'd been searching for. (Thank you, JoDear!!)

I also don't think it's a coincidence that the tagline came together when it did. I'm still in my 40 day birthday celebration and I'm on track with finishing reading the Bible through cover-to-cover by my birthday, just like I decided I wanted to do to help me prepare for this upcoming year. It's been wonderful spending extra time in God's Word...

Since wrapping that tag line around me and keeping it before me, I've enjoyed the direction and focus it's given me. Direction and focus I sorely needed not just in my blogging and writing, but in my daily life too. As strange as it sounds, having that tagline has freed me to soar exactly where I always wanted to. It's been wonderful.

So welcome to Patterings where I enjoy Finding the extraordinary God in our ordinary lives. *sigh* I love it. It fits and it makes me happy, and more importantly, it frees me to fly.

So what about you? Do you have a tagline that fits you? If you do, or if you have one you've been playing with, share it with us! I'd love to hear yours and if having one has helped you find focus.

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Field Trip

One of the highlights of our year is going to

Fort Massac's Encampment every October. Encampment is a reenactment of the French and Indian War days here in Southern Illinois and the reenactors do a fabulous job.

They rebuilt the fort a few years back so we have a replica of how it looked back in 1802. Lewis and Clark stopped at Ft. Massac on their way West since it's right on the banks of the Ohio River.

This is our seventh year going and we still enjoy it. It's not every day you see 17th Century up close and personal like that.








The vendors and tradesmen dress in period clothing and many of them demonstrate how goods were made and they love telling you about what they're doing and how life was in the 1700's.



The reenactors set up camps that they live in over the weekend. Each army has its own camp and it's interesting to walk through them. I'm always amazed at how difficult life must have been for them. We have things soooo good now!


The big event each day is the battle. Since the camps are on the opposite side of the park the armies, and their camp followers parade through the grounds, and if you see them heading toward to battle grounds, you know you're too late to get the 'best seats' along the gorge they use. It makes they perfect battleground because the spectator can sit on the banks of the gorge and see the battle unfold.


Each year it's fun to watch the Indians. They add so much because you never know what they're going to do and when they'll strike. One year the battle started because they kidnapped a girl that was gathering herbs and nuts in the gorge--we still laugh at how those Indians kept her subdued during the battle--it was its own little show.

This year there was something new. One of the reenactors had a small Cricket field roped off and he taught anyone who wanted to learn how to play Cricket like they did during the French and Indian Wars. Two of my boys participated and had fun--this is my middle son batting while my oldest was on the other end of the field and my youngest helped keep score. They really enjoyed it.

But our favorite part of the Encampment is still the music tent. Over the seven years we've been attending we've gotten to know the group called the Peacocks and we love hearing them play. Each year we check for new CDs (there's not been any for a 2-3 years. *rats*) and try to visit with them a little. Our favorite song of theirs is "Whiskey Before Breakfast" which cracks them up because they know us well enough to know we do NOT do whiskey before breakfast or any other time of day! =]

So there you have it--a homeschool field trip with my family to one of our favorite events of the year.

What's one of your favorite events?

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From These Ashes

This is a story that is near and dear to my heart because the setting is where I consider home--Ecuador. This is fiction, but things like this happen.
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From These Ashes
They're too weak to bear this, Lord. Jared slumped against the mud courtyard wall and looked at the church. Pieces of jagged glass clung to charred window frames, bearing testimony of the destruction within the cinder block walls. Tendrils of smoke curled out from the smoldering heap that was once a pulpit and simple wooden pews.

Jared raised his eyes to the roof of the building. Even the cross Marco made, Lord, it's gone. And the new Bibles and hymnbooks. Oh, Lord, I wish I hadn't brought them over last night. His eyes slid closed as his chin dropped onto his chest.

At the squeal of the gate Jared looked up. Marco stepped in and stood surveying the damage the vandals had done. Looking up at the roof, his eyes narrowed and his jaw set, but he said nothing. He turned and looked around the courtyard at the garbage that had been dumped and strewn around. Shaking his head, he walked back out the gate without looking back.

Jared's head fell back against the wall and his eyes burned from more than just smoke. Lord, Marco is leaving--the man I thought could someday be the pastor here.

Jared heard the gate clanking, but didn't open his eyes. He didn't want to see any one else turn away. After a moment, a scraping noise grated on his ears and he raised his head.

“Marco. What are you doing?” he asked.

Marco leaned on the handle of his shovel. “We have a service here in 30 minutes and I thought it'd be more pleasant if we didn't have to stand amidst the garbage.”

“I don't know that it will make a difference.”

Marco looked down, scraping the sole of his worn shoe on the shovel. Scratching his trimmed, black beard he looked at Jared. “That's just a building, Pastor,” he said. “The people, the true church, will still be here in 30 minutes.”

Will they come, though?

The gate squealed again and a group of women entered, each carrying a broom. Their hushed talk ceased as they stood in the courtyard.

Tears rolled down Carmen's face as she looked at the destruction. “Those men who did this are fighting against God. They think that burning the church will put an end to God pursuing them, but they're wrong. We need to pray even harder for them now.”

Jared rose to his feet, emotion filling his throat as he reached for the extra shovel Marco had brought. Here I was, thinking they weren't strong enough to handle this, Lord, and they're praying for the ones who did it. Forgive me, Father, and help me learn from them. Give me the wisdom to handle this correctly. Please, use this for Your glory.

Garbage quickly gave way to people as they trickled in, each whispering about the men who they suspected of destroying the church. Each week two or three men had been across the street, scoffing as people came and went from church. They were the star players of the towns' soccer team and were influential with the men of the town. Many church people had been praying specifically for their salvation. This morning they were nowhere to be found.

Jared wiped his hands on a rag as he looked around at the group gathered in the courtyard. Father, they're all here. Not one is missing.

Marco stood beside him, grinning. “This is the church, Pastor.”

Jared smiled, struggling to find his voice. “How did you become so wise, my friend?”

“You taught me that, just as you taught me that good can come from these ashes.”

Lord, bring beauty from these ashes...

Jared raised his hands, and in a clear, strong voice he led his flock. “Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow...”

When the last notes faded away Jared raised his voice again. “Jesus asked Peter an important question one time. He asked, 'Who do you say that I am?' and Peter answered, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus' response was, 'and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.'*” Jared turned and reached for his Bible.

Pray for the men who did this, Jared.

Now, Lord?

Now.

Jared turned back to the group without his Bible. “Pray with me. Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for those that did this. Let them see that burning a church will not put an end to You pursuing them. Don't let go of them until they stop fighting against You and completely surrender to You. Open their hearts to Your love and forgiveness. Please, Lord, do not let go of them; draw them to Yourself and make them one of Your beloved children. In the name of Jesus, Your resurrected Son, I pray, amen.”

Hiding in the shadows of the alley, a man who reeked of whiskey, wood smoke and garbage wrapped his arms around himself as his head dropped and his shoulders shook.


* Matthew 16:15-18 (NASB)
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I'm so excited! This is the first time I've been able to participate in Fiction Friday for months. And the first time I've participated since passing on the baton. I meant to announce to everyone that Fiction Friday is now hosted by Karlene, a wonderful Faithwriters friend I got to meet in August at the conference. Karlene is a doll. Sweet, fun to be with and a servant's heart. I was thrilled when she said she would take over Fiction Friday for us. Thank you, Karlene! I'm so thankful for you!!

For links to more fun fiction stop by this week's host, Stina at With Pen in Hand.

Missions and missionaries are much on my mind these days, especially with Heidi's Candle in the Corner missions spotlights going on. Be sure to stop by and check it out and participate!

You'll also find this story at Journey Ezine, a wonderful mission outreach ezine. Check them out!

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