The shift in American culture

In my experience in the general workplace I have found that people expect more of a Christian, even demand it. Unfortunately this also comes across as an attitude of belittlement and scoffing. I am appalled at the lack of respect for the name of Christ and for those who follow His teachings.

Don't people realize that the freedoms they enjoy in western civilization come directly from the teachings of Jesus?

They think that they can live without God. They don't need Him and He doesn't matter to them or (in their opinion) doesn't exist. I am weary of the way in which people so liberally talk about sin, treat it as if it is not wrong, and constantly belittle those who are conservative and especially those who are homeschooled.

But this is the battle that we have signed up for when we accept Christ's call to repentance and salvation. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that the cost in this life may be the companionship of those around us, alienation from society, and even sometimes humiliation. But if those things are taken in the cause of Christ they are worth enduring.

The secular work environment is rapidly degrading and so many Christians are now caught in the middle. The things we say are used against us as "non-inclusive" and the actions we take are re-interpreted as coming from selfish motivations. They want everyone to be like them so that they can feel good about themselves. They HATE their morals being questioned.

I just witnessed the filthiest conversation that I have been unfortunate enough to hear in a long time. I had to walk away because it bothered me so deeply. A few guys were swapping jokes and stories revolving around individuals being taken advantage of sexually and they really seemed to think them funny.

What has our society come to when people think those things are acceptable jests? They are hurtful and sinful.

I want to encourage my fellow Christians to stand up in the workplace, especially you men out there. The people in this country need to hear the voices of reason and righteousness that demand God be heard. But if we sit quietly by the Devil is eagerly waiting to pour in more filth and greater damnable acts. And the more we are surrounded by it, the easier it is for the world to corrupt our minds and those of our children.

A word to the wise: when you write an email...

With the advent of phone texting it seems that people everywhere have trashed well-written sentences and thoughtfully-composed emails. I recently pointed out to my wife the difference between two emails I had received. One was from an individual looking for professional advice, and the other was from a reader of my blog.

The first individual wrote in complete sentences but never capitalized and grouped all sentences into one very long paragraph. Considering that this individual was looking for my advice it would have come off far better to me if he had taken the time to make his message look professional. It is possible that he supposed it would seem less imposing and more friendly... I suppose.


On the other hand, the second individual wrote in a well-formatted manner with capitalizations. And the impression I had of this individual was that he wrote to me with great respect and consideration of my time.

Of the two individuals I would have expected the first to take the greater care with the composition of his email. He needed questions answered and I was willing to give him advice.

(Please note: I am not saying this to bash the first individual. I just want people to think about something many take for granted nowadays). In fact, I have received many other emails formatted in a similar fashion. But an email can and should reflect the nature of your attitude when you are approaching a professional.

A word to the wise: When you write an email consider how it will appear to the editor, agent, or author who is receiving it. We do notice those seemingly mundane details and they can make a world of difference in the validity of your correspondence.

Why Windows 8 is frustrating

Windows used to be a practical interface for the desktop computer (which is my machine of choice). But with the introduction of Windows 8 Microsoft has earned my ire. Why?

1. I am not a touch-screen person when it comes to my desktop or laptop experience. Win8 is all about the touch-screen experience. I do not want to be constantly cleaning my Work Machine of fingerprints and the like. I want to interface with a touchpad and/or my mouse because I am working with text for hours at a time.
2. TOO BUSY! Win8 operates on an app-style platform, thus when I open my computer it keeps active apps updated in the background while I run other programs. But I want my computer's power dedicated solely to the programs I have instructed it to run.
3. Swiping shortcut gestures are frustrating, to say the least! At one point I was working in three windows: Photoshop, MSWord, and Internet Explorer. Every time I swiped for a certain action in Photoshop the program would close and open the previous program because its "intuitive" system determined that is what I wanted.
4. SIMPLER IS BETTER and Win8 is like a toy with too many buttons designed for the hobbyist, not the professional

My conclusion: if Microsoft continues in this direction they will lose my business, and if an upstart company can come up with a smart alternative to Windows they can gain the edge in this limited market. I am seriously considering downgrading to Windows 7.

Strange moments in the sentimental zone

I just had the strangest thing happen to me, well, I think it was strange. The timing was too perfect, so I think it was a God-sent test.

I grew up in a rural home in northeast Connecticut and I have always had this dream of buying back that house someday if it ever became available. Today I found out that the house is on the market for a great price. It caused a wild rage of emotion. I deeply wanted to make it happen: buy the house so that my wife and I could raise our kids in the same surroundings I so loved in my growing up years. But as many of you know, God has led my wife and I to set out Full-Timing in an RV motorhome. It seems like the timing of this was perfectly tuned to test my resolve as to what I would put first: the spiritual benefits to the lifestyle we've chosen, or settling down in a comfortable house. It was a battle for me to stick to my conviction that materialism can stand between my family and God.

But my wonderful wife (even though she was as tempted as I was by the promise of stability) reminded me of the reasons we are going to RV. I am so thankful to God for her.

Come 2015 we will be hitting the road on non-stop book tour and neither of us can wait. We have been hunting for the right RV and researching like crazy. Here is our favorite so far: 2008 Damon Astoria Bunkhouse Pacific Edition

"Neverqueen" A new series ready to begin!

That satisfied feeling I have right now is because Neverqueen the first book in the new series is finished today!

Also, the cover underwent a minor change that has made it 'pop' better. The heroine's eyes needed to be glowing. All part of the story. And a key part of the story!

Story pitch line is next and a summary to tease all the Fantasy lovers out there.

Coming November 2013!

Getting rid of it!

Clutter. We have so much of it in our lives, don't we?

In preparation for creating a mobile family lifestyle, my wife and I are de-cluttering. Really we do not have a lot of stuff, but even so it is amazing how many things we do have! (-: Does that sound conflicted?

God is glorified more the less value we place on material things. This is one reason we are excited to live out of an RV beginning in 2015 and travel the country again selling books while I speak wherever the opportunity is presented. In preparation for that we are starting to get rid of things we do not need. I sold a couple of PC games for $10 and that modest amount is the start of our "RV Fund." I also have a violin to sell and a loveseat. We are going to digitize my very large movie collection, so I will sell the DVDs, too. I am even going to make a valiant attempt to get rid of a large number of my books, but we'll see how that goes.

I am excited about this. I place a lot more value in my possessions than I like to admit. Some of these things are gods in my life, and God will only bless as we seek to follow His will in our lives. We want to turn away from the material to better focus on connecting to God and the world around us.

BTW, we watched the movie "RV" last night (Robin Williams). Yep, that was a funny movie!

The G-word

Our culture thinks it is becoming so good. After all, it will no longer tolerate racial slurs. Yep, I am thinking of Paula Deen. A lawsuit because she used the n-word. That is good, right? It means that people are becoming more ethical. The US is becoming a tolerant culture that does not discriminate.

Let me point out one sad fact: I have never heard of a lawsuit over someone using the name of God in vain, and I have never heard of one in association with the blaspheming of the holy name of Jesus Christ.

The other day at work I was utterly horrified to hear an employee combine a crude word with the name of Jesus Christ. It sank so ugly deep into my gut that I immediately confronted the individual. But the sad thing is, I don't think they fully realized what they had done even after they apologized to me for using those words.

Our culture has backslidden so far that even many professing Christians think nothing of using OMG in their vocabulary.

We need to stand up for the name of God and the name of Jesus Christ for what they are: Holy and Sacred. Do not desecrate the very name that has given you hope of salvation! Do not stand by and let those around you think that it is ok to use those names in derogatory, offensive, or crude manners. Stand up to the fallen world around you! Let them see the light of Christ with patience and authority.

"... the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."