Thursday, April 30, 2015

Lyric Entry - Chawna Schroeder

Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Chawna Schroeder. You can visit her HERE.



First Light, Last Light
By Chawna Schroeder

The One creates
New life breathes in
Eyes open wide
And see the first light

From the first light
          He holds our hand
To the last light
          He shuts our eyes to sleep

The One nurtures
Children blossom
Hands growing skilled
Faces to the light

From the first light
          He holds our hand
To the last light
          He shuts our eyes to sleep

The One strengthens
Life pledged to life
A house is built
Beneath the warm light

From the first light
          He holds our hand
To the last light
          He shuts our eyes to sleep

The rains fall, tears of pain
          Broken hearts
          Poisoned minds
          Beetle stings
          Rizzid menace
Enemies without and within

The rains fall, tears of joy
          Mending One
          Cleansing One
          Healing One
          Protecting One
Majesty, power are all His

The One gives rest
Deep sighs breathe out
Eyes sliding shut
At the last of light

From the last light
          He holds our hand
To the first light
          He opens eyes again


Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Lyric Entry - Jessica White

Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Jessica White:


Totally Surrendered

As I watched the storm approaching
My heart filled up with fear
My mind began to race because
I knew no shelter near.

But You showed up in that moment.
You said "Be not afraid."
You would lead me up to higher ground
If by Your side I'd stay.

(Chorus)

You lit the path
So I could see,
And when I fell
You carried me.

It was You who rescued me.

You lead the way
To higher ground.
It's by Your love
That I was found.

It was You who rescued me.

And I stand in awe of You....
Totally surrendered.


You clearly knew the way although
The path was not well marked.
And patiently You guided me
As the sky grew very dark.

And as we reached the hilltop,
You pointed out a light.
There below a cabin stood
Where we'd be safe for the night.

Chorus (repeated)

As the rain began to fall,
You opened up the door.
You turned and You asked me
"Do You want to know Me more?"

In that very moment
I saw Your nail scarred hands.
I understood Your sacrifice
And what Your word commands.

(Chorus melody different words)

You took my place.
You died for me.
You bared my sin
On Calvary.

It was You who set me free.

Lord by Your grace
You washed me clean.
It was Your love
that rescued me.

It was You who set me free.


Totally surrendered.


Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Lyric Entry - Karri Compton (#2 of 2)






Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Karri Compton. You can visit her blog HERE.

"Gather to the Tower"

When darkness comes and fear surrounds
The One is e'er our hope and shield
He fights with strength for all His people
Come, your spirit to Him yield


Gather to the tower, the tower where His presence hovers in a mist so palpable 

And praise the One, our Defender, Whose power is unstoppable

When good tidings come our way
And all is right within our land
Come and praise the One, our All
For guidance from His loving hand


Gather to the tower, the tower where His presence hovers in a mist so palpable 

And praise the One, our Defender, Whose mercy is unstoppable

All glory to the gracious One
Who calls our people for His own
Perfect, holy Maker He
Sits majestic on His throne
Gather to the tower, the tower where His presence hovers in a mist so palpable 

And praise the One, our Defender, Whose goodness is unstoppable

Gather now and praise the One
Thanking Him for all He's done
A god who's higher there is none
Gather now and praise the One
Gather now and praise the One



Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Branches of Fruit


"But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home." (Ezekiel 36:8)

Lord, please produce fruit in us to bless and serve those around us. Help our lives to glorify You, as we await the day when You gather us home into Your presence. Amen.

Sharon Hinck

Friday, April 24, 2015

Bonus Scene 4 - The Restorer

Here's a glimpse inside the mind of Kendra as Susan and Tristan struggle to draw her back from Rhusican poison.

After Chapter 13

Kendra:

I was five when Kieran taught me Perish, barely old enough to remember not to pop the smooth stones into my mouth like a curious toddler. The patterns fascinated me. I loved pushing my white stones into place to block the attack of my brother’s black ones. Imagining the scenarios the game represented were no problem for me. In my mind’s eye, guardians rode forward to protect the clan and noble heroes sacrificed everything to beat back invasion.

No matter how quickly I moved, Kieran was quicker. I’d guard my village on one side, only to be attacked on the flank. My nimble fingers adjusted the placement faster and faster. Black and white pieces shuffled and reshuffled, but I couldn’t clear the game.

Ever since the Rhusican at Blue Knoll stared into my eyes, whispering doubt and confusion, I’d been caught in some sort of game of Perish. Move and countermove.

Anxieties advanced like black pebbles, tumbling, avalanching, burying me.

The clans were in danger. Someone needed to do something. I needed to do something. Yet the political issues were huge. I was powerless. Still, there had to be an answer. Faster. There wasn’t time.

Tristan was taking too many risks. The River Borders were dangerous. But he wouldn’t listen to me. I couldn’t stop him. Yet I had to. I had to do more, or I’d lose him. He was taking too many risks. I pushed one thought aside looking for an answer but, like Perish rocks, another took its place, and the horrible circle continued.

From far away, the voice of a stranger interrupted the battle. “Be still and know…”

No time for that. If I stopped and listened, if I didn’t stay focused on the pieces, they’d surround me. I had to organize the problems. Find solutions. Worry them into place.

“Be still and know…” The woman’s gentle voice chanted a chorus I’d never heard before, but it felt familiar even in its strangeness. My body shuddered as I let the melody pull me from the worries I fought to contain.

“I am the Lord that healeth thee.”

Beyond the thready tones of the woman’s voice, I heard the voice of the One. How I longed to sink into that invitation. But if I didn’t fix the Council and Tristan and the Kahlareans, and—

With a sweep of my arm, I flung the Perish stones aside, lashing out against the fear that demanded solutions I couldn’t provide. A moan tore from the deep pain in my core. What had I done? I scrambled to regather the stones. One more time. I needed to try one more time. Maybe this time I could move the pieces into order and stop this chaos. The tortuous puzzle clamored. Fix this. Solve it. Try harder.

Another voice joined the woman’s. Rough-edged and strong. I grew aware of arms that gathered me, supported me.

I’d thought my eyes were open as I watched the Perish stones, but now I opened them and saw his face.

“Tristan?”

A smile lit his features, hope and relief glimmering in his eyes. Frantic strands of anxiety still clung to the edges of my thoughts, but with each passing moment their grip loosened. Was this what it was like for those who closed their eyes in death but opened them in the presence of the One?

Joy built slowly, stretching and filling my mind, casting aside the stones of worry that had seemed so important, so heavy, so insistent. The joy tossed them aside as the pebbles they were. I was awake.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Lyric Entry - Karri Compton (#1 of 2)






Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Karri Compton. You can visit her blog HERE.

Lift up your voices
Shout out to the One
Give abundant thanks
For all He has done

From Rendor to Blue Knoll
Lyric to Braide Wood
People of the Verses
Confess the One is good

He guides and sustains us
Strengthens with His hand
And brings to Himself
The People of His land

So praise the One forever
His verses e'er recite
And look for His Deliverer
One day to make all right


Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Direct Our Hearts


"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

I pray today that God would shape our thoughts, our steps, and our plans in the way that a carefully dug channel can direct water where it needs to go. May He give us strength to persevere and not turn back from loving Him and others. Amen.

Sharon Hinck

Lyric Entry - Elizabeth Goddard


Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Elizabeth Goddard. You can learn about her wonderful novels HERE.


This is the day
Made by the One
All creatures big, all creatures small
Await for the Son
Await for the Son
There is a day
For which we await
To be in His light, to rest in the One
Nothing compares to a life
Lived in His presence,
Nothing compares to the Beautiful One
How beautiful He shines, turning darkness to light.
This is the day
Made by the One

Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!



Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Lyric Entry - Antonina Ruth






Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Antonina Ruth


Memories of Braide Wood (Linette's Song)

Come wipe the dust from these packed-away dreams,
When a sword's pierced my heart -
and all's not what it seems -
Come break the dark with the dawn of the Day,
Oh, Promised One, show me the way...

I remember the scent of the woods,
and the warm hearth of light,
and the place where he stood -
When girlhood hopes towards a future so bright
Were a tune on the breeze and a song in the night.

CHORUS:
But now these are just misty memories,
And I wait in shadows for eyes to see
The coming of the longed-for One
The Hope of all Eternity.

Caught between time with a song and a prayer,
And a hope in a heart now burdened with cares;
Suspended between the Then and Not Yet,
I will quietly wait, and will lift up my head,

Singing...

CHORUS:
Bring to fulfillment these memories,
Lighten these shadows with eyes to see
Oh come to me, longed-for One,
My Hope for all Eternity.
Singing...

CHORUS:
Bring to fulfillment these memories,
Lighten these shadows with eyes to see
Oh come to me, longed-for One,
My Hope for all Eternity.

Singing...
Lai lai lai lai, lai lai lai lai, my Hope for all Eternity...

[Repeats/fades]


Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Infusion of Joy


(pictured: Minnesota novelists Elizabeth Goddard, Michelle Griep, Chawna Schroeder, and Erica Vetsch)

Infusion of Joy

Do you ever long for some fresh energy for your work? Perhaps you work in the creative arts--writing, music, theatre. Or maybe you are in another field. We all have times when the struggle to work and create begins to feel heavy and sluggish.

As I writer, I do much of my work in isolation, where it's easy to lose perspective or become discouraged. One of the best ideas I've found to infuse joy back into the process is to gather with others.

I occasionally invite a few friends for a day of work at my place. These talented authors recently spent the day writing new scenes. The sound of other hands clicking away at laptops always inspires me to dig a little deeper and get another page written.

Give it a try! No special planning required. Simply invite a couple friends to gather for a day of shared creative work. See if it gives you a boost.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck





Saturday, April 18, 2015

Quicksand



Ever feel like you’re sinking in quicksand? Maybe you’re drowning in piles of work that never seem to end. Or buried under worries. Or weary from relationships that aren’t quite right but you don’t know how to fix. Perhaps you see things you want to change in yourself and feel trapped by your inability to take the next step.

At times like that, Psalm 130 helps me turn my sinking into prayer.

“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.”

(Dear Lord, with the Psalm writer, we turn to you, knowing you hear us. Pull us out of the quicksand and onto solid ground. Guide our steps. We ask in the name of our precious Savior, Amen.)

Blessings!

Friday, April 17, 2015

Bonus Scene 3 - The Restorer

 
Here's another bonus scene - sharing a mother's perspective on her grown children and the new visitor to Braide Wood. This moment would fall after Chapter 8 in The Restorer.

Tara:

When Tristan disappeared down the trail toward the healer’s lodge, I hurried back into the house and pulled out crates of root vegetables and my favorite dried herbs. No skimping today. Tristan was home. He looked a little worse for wear, but he was home.

I hummed as I kneaded dough for some fresh rolls.

Lukyan had told me once that it didn’t honor the One to indulge in constant worry for my children. “They belong to the One, and He has His hand in their lives.” Easy for him to say. He’d never had children like Tristan, Talia, and Tagatha.

How could a mother not worry? Especially when a mother’s love wasn’t enough to keep danger and harm away from her children. Even a mother’s fervent prayers didn’t guarantee that her children would be spared suffering. If my prayers could have brought Kendra back and healed Tristan’s broken heart, it would have happened a thousand times over by now.

Tristan had been gone so long that worry visited me daily—a guest I kicked out again and again, but one who kept knocking.

Of my three children, Tristan wasn’t usually the one to keep me awake at night with worry. His work leading the guardians of Braide Wood was difficult and held some risks, but he was responsible, a strong leader, a man who inspired confidence and trust. It was my youngest who had caused me the most pain over the years. Little Tagatha had shocked me when she’d pledged herself to a man from Lyric and had chosen city life far from her family and clan. My happy mood faded as I thought of the grandchild I rarely saw because of her choices.

I reached overhead and pulled down some dried stalks of sageno. Rubbing the leaves between my hands released their earthy scent, and I pummeled my dough until the herbs were blended well. There’d be time to worry about Tagatha later. Tristan was home—that was what I needed to focus on. Tristan and Kendra. It must have killed him to stay away from her so long.

Every few days I walked to the healer’s lodge and tried to see Kendra, but the stubborn old healers wouldn’t let me spend time with her. Too dangerous, they said. Pah. Families need each other. It was keeping them apart that was dangerous. Fortunately, Tristan was a lot bigger and carried a sword, and I suspected they wouldn’t be able to keep him from seeing her.

Now what to do with the strange woman he’d brought with him? As thrilled as I was to see him, I didn’t know what to think of her. A lost and desperate look haunted her eyes.

Well, whatever her problems, they could surely be helped with a hearty bowl of soup. I set my biggest bowl on the heat trivet and stuffed it with ingredients.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Lyric Entry - Brenda Anderson






Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Brenda Anderson. You can find Brenda's novels HERE.


If you didn’t taste the wedding wine
Or see demons cast into swine
Would you believe?
Would you believe?

If you didn’t see 5000 fed

Or the widow’s son rise from his bed
Would you believe?
Would you believe?

(Chorus)

Blessed are they who believe without seeing

Blessed are they who believe without touching
Blessed are they who believe without seeing you, Lord

If you didn’t see the empty tomb

Or the folded linens in that room
Would you believe?
Would you believe?

If you didn't touch fingers to His side

Or feel the nail scars He cannot hide
Would you believe?
Would you believe?

(Chorus)

Blessed are they who believe without seeing

Blessed are they who believe without touching
Blessed are they who believe without seeing you, Lord

If you didn’t see a baby born

Or watch the sun rise in the morn?
Would you believe?
Would you believe?

I would believe

Yes, I would believe!


Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Lyric Entry - Hannah Wallace






Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Hannah Wallace


Wind like a breath
Rain like kisses
A world brimming over with signs of His mysteries
The One full of love
The One full of might
Guides us by day and guards us by night
His gentle smile glows at first light
The One’s love for us
This is our might
We raise up our eyes
We raise up our praises
To the One clothed in peace
Yet in battle the bravest
Mystery of mysteries
He holds gentle power
He sends us restorers
In our neediest hours
Mystery of mysteries
We’ll worship forever
Breathless in awe
We await our Deliverer

Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Lyric Entry-Anne R






Thank you to everyone participating in the Song of Lyric contest!
There is still time to send your lyrics in to be posted on my blog in April and May.
INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST HERE

The winner will be announced in June.

Today's entry is by Anne R.


Through the grey
and clouded sky,
the One will guide,
a beacon of light
to the lost
and broken,
the healed
and found,
guiding us all
with the strength of His love.



Please encourage each author with your comments. (They get extra points in the contest for comments).

Stop back often for more entries!

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Your Path


"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." Psalm 25:4

Friday, April 10, 2015

Bonus Scene 2 - The Restorer

As I gear up for the release of The Deliverer (book 4 in the Sword of Lyric series), I'm sharing bonus scenes from the first three books.

Today is Bonus Scene 2: In which Tristan discovers revenge doesn't heal a broken heart, and there's a strange soccer mom on the loose. This falls after chapter four in The Restorer.

-->
Tristan:
“She warned me.” I tossed back the last swig of clavo and wiped out the mug before tucking it away on a recessed shelf. Not that there was any real need to clean up. The place probably wouldn’t see another person for seasons to come. I was stalling, and I knew it.
Kieran leaned against the open doorway, squinting into the distance. “Who warned you of what?”
“My mother. She tried to stop me.”
“We all tried to stop you. You did what you had to.”
I slung my pack over one shoulder and met Kieran at the door. “She warned me that revenge wouldn’t change anything. She begged me to stay in Braide Wood.”
Kieran shook his head. “You’ve got new things to worry about. By the way, she headed toward the center of town.”
I sighed. Not the direction I needed to go. “Of course she did.” I followed Kieran outside and pulled the door closed.
“I still say you should leave her here and get back to Lyric for some damage control. The Council has probably figured out by now that you aren’t where you’re supposed to be.”
More regret slammed into me. I hadn’t cared about what my mother needed. I hadn’t cared about the guardians in my command. I hadn’t cared about anything but tracking the Rhusican. Every day I’d woken with desperate hope that tore my insides like a rizzid’s claws. Hope that confronting the Rhusican would bring me answers. Hope that justice would ease my pain. Hope that I’d be able to talk to the One again without shaking with rage. And now…now I just felt empty.
“Hey.” Kieran shoved me, a little too hard to be playful. “Stop it. Second guessing makes you weak.”
I swatted him aside and tightened my sword belt. “It’s not weakness to analyze my choices.”
“Choices? You didn’t have choices. You told me he attacked you.”
“He did. But it was still my sword that took his life. I could have—”
“Let him kill you?” Kieran spit the words out through a clenched jaw.
I took a step back. “What are you so mad at me for?”
“Because you’re an idiot. He did more than enough damage, but you insist on making it worse by torturing yourself.” Kieran raked a hand through his dark hair, haggard lines deepening on his face.
Another person I hadn’t considered. He’d been devastated too. My shoulders slumped. “I wish I could bring her back.”
Pain flashed in Kieran’s eyes. He turned away and cleared his throat. “Go track down your protégé before she wanders into a clay pit. Although, come to think of it, that would solve a few problems.” With a dry chuckle, he strode down the street, heading toward Hazor.
I shook my head, picked up the extra pack I’d assembled, and walked toward the center of town to find Susan. Unlike Kieran, I could dare to hope for a Restorer. After all, what else could explain what we’d both seen? Her crumpled, lifeless body had healed. Still, she seemed awfully small and confused to be of much help. If I were still on speaking terms with the One, I’d ask Him what her appearance meant. But for now I’d hope someone in Braide Wood could figure out what to do with her.

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Cover Reveal - Deliverer

-->
The Deliverer
(coming this summer)

A world tuned to deception. A heart waiting for deliverance.



A young songkeeper travels to sing the praises of the One in the dark and foreign world of Hazor, but her confusing, rough-edged companion has lost his Restorer gifts. As danger rises against them both, she loses her freedom, her memories, and her hope. Now even the very music of her soul is threatened.



In our world, Susan Mitchell no longer feels at home in the carpool lane. Her secret trips through the portal and worry about her son, who is out of contact in Lyric, have taken a toll. When a mysterious message hints Jake is in danger, she and her husband are swept away—to the place they least expect.

(To see the terrific current Enclave releases, visit them here.)

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Tuesday, April 07, 2015

Flowers of the Field


"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?"  
                                                                                           -- Matthew 6:28-30 (NIV)

May He increase our faith so we can joyfully trust Him today!

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

Monday, April 06, 2015

Song of Lyric Contest!


The SONG OF LYRIC CONTEST



In celebration of the upcoming release of The Deliverer (book 4 in the Sword of Lyric series), I'm hosting a fun contest with a very special prize.



To participate, write your own song lyrics and email them to me. (s.hinck AT comcast DOT net)



During April and May, I'll post entries to my blog. A panel of judges will rate them in three areas:



1. Artistry  (the beauty and power of your verses)

2. Engagement (how many people post comments to the blog the day your entry is posted)

3. Appropriate to story world (would this be a song one of the Songkeepers in Lyric would sing? No anachronisms that don't fit the world? Any reference to elements from the books?)



The winner will be chosen in June, and will receive a free personalized autographed copy of The Deliverer as soon as it releases. AND the lyrics will be set to music by a professional musician. He will even provide you with a score of your musical work! I can't wait to read and share your lyrics!



You can submit up to three entries, so start creating lyrics!


Sharon Hinck

Sunday, April 05, 2015

Blessed Easter!

Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed! 

Alleluia!

May His resurrection joy live in your heart today and every day,

Sharon Hinck













Thursday, April 02, 2015

Maundy Thursday


Maundy Thursday

For my Christian brothers and sisters who follow the traditional church calendar, today is a special day with a strange name. As a child, I always thought we were going to church for "Monday Thursday."

"Maundy" comes from the word "command" or "mandate" - and reminds us to follow Jesus' command to love one another, and serve others as He demonstrated by washing the disciples feet at His last supper with them before He went to the cross.

Churches celebrate with worship, the Lord's Supper, and some do a foot-washing ceremony. But we can also honor the day with acts of humble service and love for others. We could empty garbage even when it's not our usual chore, or fold laundry for another family member, or fill the car with gas, or wash the kitchen floor. Any task that coaxes us to put others above ourselves can be a reminder of how the King of Kings became a servant to save us, and how He gives us a new command to love one another.

Blessed Maundy Thursday!

Sharon Hinck