That was the title of a Peggy Noonan column a few years back. She was talking about world events and how, from our viewpoint, it's all just a jumbled series of wars, terrorism, and financial woes. From the long range viewoint, though, what we see are the landmarks for a huge turning point in world history. I wonder, at what point, did everyone realize we were in what would become known as World War II? The starting and ending dates appear in every elementary history book, but we all know (hopefully) that history is just never really that clean. Alot happened before December 7th, 1941 to lead up to the war. The dominoes started to fall ten or twenty years previously. From God's point of view, they started to fall thousands of years previously.
But lets stick with our short-ranged, human focus. I want everyone to take note of the conversations in the workplace or in restaraunts. Everyone's talking about the Israeli crisis and the Russian involvment with Iran, right? Wrong.
Americans are talking about who will get booted off American Idol or complain about high gas prices. I laugh about that last one. The whole Middle East is on the verge of WWIII and we're complaining about $3 a gallon? You ain't seen nothin' yet.
If I weren't a Christian, I'd be scared out of my wits right now. The world as we know it may very well go up in smoke within the next ten years. My 401k could be meaningless, my job gone with no prospects at all, our country at war all over the globe.
But I am a Christian, and I know this world will pass. We can't claim ignorance. Jesus and many of the prophets told us these days would happen. I'm not saying that I buy into every end times theory that comes along. I'm also not saying that these theories are all incorrect. It helps to know it's all in the Master Plan, but we must remain focused on what's eternal, even if the world is self-destructing around us.
So I'll sit here in my air-conditioned home and continue to watch what's going on "over there." I know it could be just another Middle East flair up, of which we've had plenty during the last fifty years, or it could be the final days leading up to WWIII, maybe even the Last Days. There's nothing I can do to affect the outcome. I'm to be at peace because I know who my Savior is. When Jesus returns, He won't find me worrying about high gas prices.
Be still, people! And know that He is God.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
A New Direction
Dont' worry, I'm not going over to Romance writing or anything that bizarre. But, as I think I mentioned previoiusly, I've changed day jobs. I'm one of those adventerous types who left the supposedly safe walls of a huge corporation (Ford) and jumped into the world of small business. I've been with Hensley Mfg. for a week now. The thing about a new job, it's like selling off everything you own and starting over. Things as simple as sending a fax have to be re-learned. Where are the paperclips? How many scoops of coffee. And, with a small company, there's no one to take care a lot of those details for you.
But I love it.
It's not writing novels for a living, but it gives me a little professional freedom. What I do really matters, that's something that I could never say in the big company. And, now that I have a later start, I can write in the morning undisturbed before coming in. I'm on chapter 4 of "Murder on the Side," the first in my River Bend Mysteries Series. Good buddy Robin asked if it was ABA or CBA. I hate that question. It means I have to make crucial dicisions. Not that I'd fill it vulgarity either way, but CBA looks for certain things that ABA doesn't care about. I like the thought of ABA because I picture myself as a Jan Karon sort, who could reach millions of people who'd never step foot into a Christian bookstore. On the other hand, do non-Christians really read her books, either? I'll have to ask Jan when we do lunch.
Anyway, I was told by many smart people--just write. So I'm just writing.
By the way, I have been reading alot lately as well. I stopped my little reviews unless something really stands out. I've even been reading a little non-fiction as well. More on that later.
But I love it.
It's not writing novels for a living, but it gives me a little professional freedom. What I do really matters, that's something that I could never say in the big company. And, now that I have a later start, I can write in the morning undisturbed before coming in. I'm on chapter 4 of "Murder on the Side," the first in my River Bend Mysteries Series. Good buddy Robin asked if it was ABA or CBA. I hate that question. It means I have to make crucial dicisions. Not that I'd fill it vulgarity either way, but CBA looks for certain things that ABA doesn't care about. I like the thought of ABA because I picture myself as a Jan Karon sort, who could reach millions of people who'd never step foot into a Christian bookstore. On the other hand, do non-Christians really read her books, either? I'll have to ask Jan when we do lunch.
Anyway, I was told by many smart people--just write. So I'm just writing.
By the way, I have been reading alot lately as well. I stopped my little reviews unless something really stands out. I've even been reading a little non-fiction as well. More on that later.
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