Amazon has my short story collection “WATER” in the top 100 for “free fiction anthologies” today. In fact, it is currently number 6. I am truly humbled. Not just because downloads have been significant recently, but because I am so appreciative of the three reviews posted there.
If you are curious about the reviews, or if you haven’t had a chance to read the stories, you can find the book here:
Have a great weekend!
I don’t think I can say it better than this: http://kashkawan.squarespace.com/novembrance/2011/11/9/contest-book-bomb-for-a-cause.html
Is the book good? Publishers Weekly says it is. In fact, VARIANT is listed as one of the top books of 2011.
Help a guy out. Buy VARIANT by Rob Wells on THURSDAY!
Life . . . it’s all about perspective, isn’t it? I have a question for the “Occupy” protesters at Wall Street . . .
Have you ever spent three and a half days in the wilderness? I have. On more than one occasion, I have spent a week.
One of my favorite memories: Just three summers ago, on a 35 mile hike to Kings Peak with our Scout troop, I caught my limit in fish almost every day. Cleaned it. Cooked it. Cleaned up afterwards. Every morning, I used a hole in the ground for my privy. I bathed in an ice-cold stream. Slept on the hard ground. Woke up in the middle of the night shivering. Woke up stiff and sore 5 days in a row. Carried a 49 pound pack the entire way. Thankfully, it got lighter each day as we ate the food we brought. But I had a serious nose bleed because of the altitude. And I sprained my knee and limped for the last two days.
Yet, it was one of the best times of my life. I loved it. The best fishing I have ever had! I would live up there if it wasn’t for cold winters and blizzards and snow so deep you can’t go anywhere.
Take this on for perspective:
Yeah. Entitlement. Isn’t it wonderful? Don’t misunderstand me . . . I don’t have a problem with protests, or exercising free speech. Those are constitutional rights. The protestors can say what they wish. They can believe what they wish. My whole concern is over what we have become as a nation. Are we a nation of people who think we are entitled to the great blessings and riches we enjoy? We are the richest nation on earth. There has NEVER been a nation in the history of the world who has had so much.
My goal in life is to make sure my kids don’t grow up to be spoiled brats. I want them to understand that they are very blessed. God has been good to us. Far better than we deserve.
So far, I think I am doing OK with their education. Time will tell.
I remember being at work that morning, a beautiful fall day in Plainfield, Indiana. By mere chance, the owner of the business had been moving some things around for his mother, and had left a television temporarily at the office. Otherwise, we would not have had a TV there. I don’t remember how I heard about the attack, but we turned on the old TV and watched a grainy image of both smoking towers come into view. We watched for many minutes, dumbfounded at the sight.
I remember the horror and anger and sadness which I felt that morning. I distinctly remember the shock I felt as we watched the first tower fall. And then the second. I remember quietly retiring to my office with tears in my eyes, shutting my door, and falling to my knees in prayer as my heart wrenched in pain. I prayed for the families who had just lost loved ones, because I knew that there was no way everyone had gotten out alive.
I remember the distinct feeling of quiet that I felt as I watched the skies each day, and saw no cloudy trails from passing planes. Plainfield is very close to the Indianapolis airport, and seeing empty skies was a surreal, strange experience.
Those feelings stayed with me for many days. Every night I would go home, and the television would be on until we went to bed. But eventually, life seemed to return to normal.
But then I remember this . . .
A very significant date: July 4, 2002. I stood on a sidewalk in Brownsburg, Indiana. Flags were EVERYWHERE. They were on cars, on trucks, on tractors, on lapels, on hats, on shirts. There were magnets, and pins, and the size which little children eagerly wave in the air. The color guard approached. The silent respect was overwhelming all of my senses. I saw everyone around me joining. Hands were on our hearts. Tears were in our eyes. My skin tingled. My pulse was fast and hard. I heard nothing but a sniffle, a low cough, and boots on pavement. I have never felt patriotism like that. Ah, the sound of those boots!
The last time you went to a function where the colors were presented, or the national anthem was sung, did you see the same sight? Or, have we forgotten? Do we still place a hand over our hearts?
God Bless America! May those who wish to destroy freedom, be forever frustrated in their quest! May those who refuse to uphold the constitution, or seek to destroy it, be prevented! And may we, as Americans, never, never, forget that we are accountable to God for what we do with the freedoms we enjoy . . . freedoms which have been purchased over and over again by the blood of heroes.
My heart goes out to all who have lost loved ones in the last decade because of the evil which happened 10 years ago today. May they and their families be blessed for their sacrifice!
Never forget.
For the next 14 months, we are going to hear a lot about job creation, and the economy, and government debt, and foreign policy, and global warming. I can handle being bombarded by all of those discussions . . . except for one.
Let’s talk Global Warming. Or Climate Change if you would prefer. But before we do so . . .
Have there ever been instances where God or his servants have changed the climate, or affected nature? Let’s talk about some examples:
Elijah changed the climate . . . God told him to preach repentance to the people, especially to Ahab and other wicked leaders. Elijah sealed the heavens, and caused the rains to stop for three years:
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1
Joshua temporarily changed the physics of the solar system . . . During the battle with the Amorite kings, in the valley of Ajalon, he caused the sun to literally stop in its progress through the sky:
“Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.” Joshua 10:12,13
What do these two examples have to do with Global Warming, or Climate Change? Why don’t you tell me. Just so you know, the new term, “climate change”, irks me. It’s more politically subtle. When politics becomes subtle, look out! Someone is trying to get you to believe a lie.
Back to our discussion . . . what about some modern examples of how nature has been affected in a miraculous way? How many of you have heard the story about the miracle of the gulls in Salt Lake City? When hordes of crickets descended upon the crops of early settlers, and threatened to destroy them all? Well, the farmers prayed. And then came huge flocks of gulls. The gulls ate the crickets.
I remember a Church-wide fast when Ezra Taft Benson was President of the Church. California was under a severe drought. I believe it was either that Sunday evening, or perhaps the next day, on Monday. There was a football game on TV. I don’t remember the teams. All I can remember is the sports commentator exclaiming his surprise at the rain which came. And the field getting drenched. It rained off and on for days. Then California had flooding problems and mud-slides.
What about this scripture?
“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.” Revelation 16:8,9
According to that one, it’s gonna get hot!
For those of you who are LDS, what do you think about this scripture?
“And again, the Lord shall utter his voice out of heaven, saying: Hearken, O ye nations of the earth, and hear the words of that God who made you. O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not! How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not! Behold, the day has come, when the cup of the wrath of mine indignation is full. Behold, verily I say unto you, that these are the words of the Lord your God.” Doctrine and Covenants 43:23-27
Do we REALLY think that we can do much of anything without God’s help? Are humans causing global warming? I don’t think so. Do they contribute to global warming? Perhaps, but who can possibly prove it?
Has ANYONE asked God about this issue? Did any of the scientists ask God for help in understanding the data they are working with? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Here is my take on it: The Global Warming or Climate Change problem which is presented to us by politicians has absolutely nothing to do with true science. I will admit that it is possible the earth’s temperature is rising. But in a system as incredibly complex as this planet, how in the world would a person be able to tell what the root cause is without God’s help?
And if it is a real problem, I am here to tell you that the solution to Global Warming has already been found and will soon be implemented.
According to scripture, the earth will soon be changed back to the state that it was in during the time of Adam and Eve. It will once again become a Garden of Eden when Christ returns. And guess what? Those that have a repentant heart will get to be there. Think about the Garden of Eden as described by Genesis! Beautiful trees, animals which don’t eat each other, and peace! Even though it was not recorded in Genesis, I am hoping there will be really yummy grapes and mangoes. Oh, and strawberries and lemons so we can make strawberry lemonade.
Sorry, I got off track . . .
Puny humans! Keep trying to change the planet’s climate! Politicize it! Cause people to spend their brains out to solve it! Tax everybody to death!
Legislate. Pontificate. Scare the masses. Lie. Lie. Lie.
Sounds pretty stupid, doesn’t it?
Do you honestly think that the Son of God, who turned water to wine, walked on water, calmed storms, and raised Lazarus from the dead . . . the very same God who created the earth in the first place . . . cannot fix the climate of this planet, IF it needed fixing?
Trust me, there is NOTHING happening to this planet which we did not deserve. And no stinking politician is ever going to be able to stop the sun in the sky, or cause the rains to stop and then start again. When was the last time you saw one of our elected Republicans or Democrats raise a brother from the dead? Walk on water? Calm a storm? Change water to wine? I didn’t think so. WHEN it gets really hot, there is nothing our cute little buddies in Washington will be able to do about it. Dang! They are SO cute when they think they’re big, aren’t they? Cute little politicians! I’ll bet they wish they could tell Peter where to get a coin for tribute!
In closing, I will admit just one thing about Global Warming: I am dreading that prophecy in Revelation . . . I wonder if I should buy some property in Antarctica?
I must confess something about my review here . . . I have not yet finished the book. But, I did read a good chunk it. Then I skimmed several other parts, and skipped to the last chapter and read it, and then came back to my bookmark.
This book is not a slow read, but you do need to read it slowly, if you understand what I am saying.
Before I get to my comments on this book, let me give you my credentials (as if that really makes a difference for what I have to say). I have taught Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School for almost every ward I have ever lived in. I taught Early Morning Seminary one year. And, I have an uncommon religious background which, I think, has allowed me to understand other Christians a bit better.
As a young boy, I attended the Salem Baptist Church in Colorado Springs. I distinctly remember the Sunday when I confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, and according to the Pastor at the time, was thereby saved. I think it was when I was 9 years old. I appreciate that upbringing. I always knew Jesus was real. But then, right before my 10th birthday, I joined (of my own free will) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have been a “Mormon” ever since.
I have always been very, very interested in scripture. I love the Bible. I believe I have read every book of the Bible at least once, and many of them, multiple times. I have spent hundreds of hours in the Old Testament, and I have read the New Testament several times. I don’t declare myself a professor of ancient scripture, but then again, I am no slouch. And I LOVE ISAIAH.
So . . . what does that have to do with this book?
Well, I was intrigued at the approach which Mr. Conis took in writing the book. He is LDS. And yet nowhere in the book is it spelled out that he is LDS.
That might bother some people. Some folks will get upset, and claim that he is trying to hide his LDS church membership from the world in a deceitful way. Others will claim he is trying to trick unsuspecting Christians into believing things about the Bible which the Mormons teach, against their will. And I think there will be some readers who sincerely like the book, up until the point that they find out he is Mormon. Then they will turn against it because they think he has lied.
What do I say to all that? Hogwash.
Here is how I see it:
There is a HUGE amount of prejudice against Mormons when it comes to the Bible. I have come across folks who think we have a different bible (even though we use the King James Version). And others who say we always take verses out of context. And yet others who think that Mormons can’t possibly understand the Bible because our minds have been clouded with other scripture . . .
For those reasons, when I have been discussing religion with other people, I don’t always tell people that I am LDS right away. I tend to let a person get to know me a little bit first. I don’t see anything wrong with that. I have no desire to shove my religion down someone’s throat. But when they have questions, I readily answer them.
I think this is the approach that Mr. Conis has taken: Let’s talk about the Bible. Let’s talk about the great words that we find there, and not let our prejudices about each other’s religious persuasion get in the way of that conversation.
Sounds good to me. Those who dismiss the book out of hand, without giving the text a fair chance just because Mr. Conis is LDS, would not have really read and enjoyed the book anyway.
Now, what did I think of the book?
Well written. A bit long in parts, and perhaps a little repetitive as we keep going back to some themes about rain/revelation and many others. But even with the repetition, I think the parallels which the author draws between the books and verses he cites are very, very well done. So far, I have greatly enjoyed the book. I look forward to finishing it. And as for the doctrine found therein: So far, I have not yet found a single thing to disagree with. There have been some ideas presented which will cause me to do additional research on my own, but overall, I think the interpretations shown (and most of them have been masterfully correlated with other biblical sources), are right on the money. Using selections from the Bible to support other parts of the Bible should not offend anyone who believes the Old Testament is the word of God.
I highly recommend this one. Go get yourself a copy here: http://www.thelatterrain.net And for a 20% discount on your purchase during the virtual book tour for The Latter Rain, you can use the following discount code: Tour
Help Tristi celebrate her new novel in two ways.First, come participate in the two-week-long blog contest, where you can win a book nearly every single day!All the details are up on Tristi’s blog.
Second, come to the book launch!
You are invited to an
August Authorama!
Saturday, August 13th
Pioneer Book, 858 S. State, Orem
12 – 4 pm
Games, prizes, balloons, face painting,
and Dutch oven cobbler
prepared by world champion cook
Authors Tristi Pinkston, J. Lloyd Morgan, Cindy Hogan,
Nichole Giles, and Heather Justesen
will all be there to sign books.
This is one book launch event
you will not want to miss!
Yep. I think I fell off the planet. Or I’ll bet you think I did.
I have been buried. Literally. Buried in sawdust, fiberglass, and sheet-rock dust. I am finishing a bedroom in the basement of the rental home we will be moving to in the next few weeks.
A couple things I have learned in recent days:
1. I am getting too old to finish a basement.
2. I think I may be stressed because I have become addicted to salty foods: bacon, potato chips, fries, etc.
3. I have too many things on my plate right now. I look forward to being done with the move.
4. Mortgage companies are evil. Yep. Long story . . . and I won’t even try. Sometimes you can’t explain stupid. It’s impossible. All I can say is that the days of going to your banker and explaining the situation and having the banker work with you because it is the smart thing to do and in the end the solution will work out best for both of you . . . those days disappeared with the telegraph line and horse carriage. Maybe the problem is Wall Street? Heartless investors? Maybe.
Don’t misunderstand me. Capitalism is still the best option in the world. I just wish that the system was tempered a little more often with a good ol’ fashioned handshake and a smile. Maybe a bartered chicken.
I suddenly have the urge to go to the soda shop for a malt.
In 1879, a German publicist and political agitator by the name of Wilhelm Marr was credited with coining the term “Anti-Semitism”. That is not the first time the term was used, but it soon became popular. Adolf Hitler used the term extensively in a 1919 letter to Herr Adolf Gemlich where he explained that the Jews must be removed from Germany. Some historians see this letter as a pre-cursor to the Holocaust.
Before the words “Anti Semite” were used to refer to just the Jews, it had other origins. Originally, a Semite was a descendant of Shem, one of three sons of Noah. This is significant, because technically, both Ishmael (father of the 12 Arab nations), and Jacob (also called Israel, father of the 12 Tribes of Israel), are Semites. All of Shem’s descendants are Semite, including Abraham. Both the Jews and the Arabs call Abraham their father.
I find that to be very ironic. Semites that hate Semites.
Moses, 7:33 - “And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood;”
At the time of Enoch, the Lord said that the children of men hated their own blood . . . or their own families. This was before the flood. This is one of the reasons for that cleansing of the earth by water. The next time will be by fire.
Consider this latter-day prophecy: “And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound.” – Doctrine and Covenants, 45:27
Is there any doubt that we live in a day when love is dying, and becoming cold?
Who are these whom we should love? The 12 Tribes of Israel have been scattered across the earth. Many of the nations of Europe and Asia and Africa have had the blood of these tribes intermingled with their own. So, in a very real sense, this means that most of us share some common ancestry with Shem. We are family. If you are not Mormon, this may not make a lot of sense to you . . . but I know from what tribe most of my ancestry comes from. I am of the House of Ephraim, the tribe of Joseph. Perhaps it seems a bit strange for me to make such a claim. I understand. Maybe we can talk about genealogy and Patriarchal Blessings at another time.
So . . . what does this all mean to me?
I have a deep sense of kinship with my Jewish brothers and sisters. It disgusts me that there seems to be a growing feeling of Anti-Semitism in the world. Didn’t we say, soon after World War II, that we would never let such an abominable desolation of a people happen again? Have we forgotten so soon? I wasn’t born until 20 years after the war. And yet, I feel like I am a part of the outcome of that great conflict because the memories of images and stories from that time period horrify me. I feel like I was there. Perhaps I was . . . perhaps I watched over my grandparents during those difficult years, helping them to be safe so that I might get my turn on earth.
Why do I feel such a strong bond with the Jews? I can’t even explain it. It’s as strong as anything I feel for my own flesh and blood. I have an almost overpowering desire to join with them in their fight for peace and freedom from oppression. When I hear Benjamin Netanyahu speak, it thrills my soul to hear him defend his people and his country. Maybe it’s because the Mormons, as a people, were treated almost as poorly as the Jews. Harassed, driven from state to state, even murdered. Not to the extent of the Holocaust, but very disturbing, nonetheless.
Semites . . . yes, even the Arab peoples are my brothers. I wish no harm for them. But when you are part of a family, you have got to act like part of the family. And if you decide that you don’t want to be family anymore . . .
Like an older brother on the playground, I am seeing my little brother take some pretty serious abuse by the bullies who hate him. And that gets my blood boiling. It makes me want to fight. You mess with my family, you mess with me.
We have got to STOP this growing feeling of Anti-Semitism in the world. Stand up for Israel. Stand up for the Jews. They are our brothers.
Won’t you join me?
* * *
If this post makes sense to you, share it with a friend. Perhaps they would like to understand why they feel a kinship with Israel.
For the last 3 years, I have been careful about what I say on this blog. Why? Because I am a writer, and I had hopes of making it big in publishing. I had hopes of getting an agent in the national market, and making a name for myself in the industry. And I had read in many, many places that as an author I would have to be careful about what I say, and how I say it, especially in a public forum such as the internet.
I may yet get an agent for a future project. I may yet find a national audience for the things I write.
But if I do, they are going to have to take me as I am.
I like to write RELIGIOUS fiction. I like to talk about my beliefs on this blog. I like to talk occasionally about politics.
Will that keep me from getting a national contract? Maybe. Maybe not.
But this much I know: There is a fire growing within me. A desire to express the way I feel about world conditions, about my faith, and about things which are important to me as a Christian. And I don’t think I can pull punches anymore. I have been too quiet. Perhaps I have been too afraid of what I might say, and that my words my close doors of financial opportunity to me somewhere down the road.
Maybe that is true. But you know, I don’t care anymore. I don’t care about the prospects of money and fame. I DO care about a great many other things, however. I care about who I am.
Who am I?
I am a believer in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Redeemer, and our Advocate with the Eternal Father. I am Christian.
I am also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am a Mormon. I hope that I am never, ever labeled as one of those wishy-washy, can’t-make-up-his-mind Mormons like Jon Huntsman Junior. I don’t understand why he can’t seem to answer the question in an un-equivocal way. Either he is Mormon, or he ain’t. Step up to the plate, buddy.
I am very conservative–politically, and in my religious and moral beliefs. I believe the Second Amendment is my personal right to bear arms and defend my family. I believe in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. I believe in the rights of religious freedom, and freedom of speech.
I believe in people taking responsibility for their actions. I don’t believe that freedom of speech gives a person the right to injure other people.
I believe in being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Yes, I am an Eagle Scout. I earned that award, the “On My Honor” award, and the “Duty to God” award. I believe that program helped me to become the man I am today.
I fully support our troops. I am patriotic. I am forever grateful for the sacrifice of those who gave their all so that I might enjoy the freedoms which I have.
I love my family. They are dear to me, and the greatest treasure I have now and in the eternities.
That is who I am. Or at least, who I strive to be. I hope that I may continue to strive for that excellence.
And if there are readers out there who think it’s not appropriate to be so direct about beliefs and politics and such on a writer’s blog, all I can say is that I respectfully disagree with you. I want the world to get the same ME, whether online, or in person. God gave me the gifts which I have. I suspect that He has not raised me up to be ME so that I can hide in a corner, afraid of what people might think if I open my mouth and share what I believe. If you read my writings–short-stories or novel–you are going to see these beliefs come out in the words on the page. I can’t help it. And in fact, I think you can tell a lot about a person by reading what they write.
Around here, you’re going to get the real me. It’s who I am. I hope that means we can still be friends.
