{CROSSWAYSNET}

Death Mocks Her

Wednesday, August 24, 2011 1:25 PM By crosswaysnet , In Book Reviews

"Doom am I, full-ripe, dealing death to the worlds, engaged in devouring mankind." Lord Krishna

For two cycles now, Katniss Everdeen has stared straight into the maw of death… and let it consume her. There's only a shell left, yet this irrepressible teen has become immortal by becoming the dealer of death. "I’m running on hate. When the energy for that ebbs, I’ll be worthless," she groans. At first she had to kill to survive. Now she must hate and kill to survive. What kind of survival is this? It's not. And to think, all she ever wanted was to settle down and spend her years angst-ing over which high school crush to marry. Well, dear soul-weary reader, if you've persevered with her this far (and millions have) there's no choice but to see her through until she flames out and rises from the ashes.

Twice Around the Sun

Saturday, August 13, 2011 12:00 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc. , Poetry

Today my new morning dawns

I am alive to see it.

A hazy white above

A summer's burn below

Wisps of coffee steam

Now rise within my grasp

The Island of Misfit Troikas

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 10:21 PM By crosswaysnet , In Book Reviews

Katniss Everdeen has a problem. Everyone who admires her wants her dead. Everyone who loves her soon will be. So what's a girl to do? Fight like Hell. It's all fatalist frustration, because she just can't seem to die. And it's not for lack of trying. She's determined to see her one and almost love survive another round of sporting mayhem if it kills her. Unfortunately, it doesn't.

The Hunger Games have become the Hungrier Games. The unprecedented happens. The victors of previous Hunger Games must square off to appease the Hunger Gods one more time as they luxuriate in their plush vomitoriums. They're getting dyspeptic and a tickling feather won't help. Rebellion is ravaging the slave districts like a cruise ship virus. And it's putting a dent in the Capitol's menu. Used to satiating every gluttonous pang, the grumbling of a million starving bellies has become an annoyance that surround sound and 3d special effects can't drone out.

Darker by Day

Monday, May 16, 2011 12:45 AM By crosswaysnet , In Book Reviews , Life etc.

Welcome to the Heart of Darkness. Only this darkness has no heart. It's lit with high-watt tungsten - camera ready. It comes with a cast of thousands, and thousands more to do their hair, nails and wardrobe. Live from the Capitol! It's Running Man 24/7 on every network!! You can't miss it! By law you may not avert your eyes. Let the killing of children begin! Better yet - we'll have the children do the killing!!

The most sinister Stephen King novels are set in broad daylight. The Twilight Zone episodes that linger in your mind for years were more 'zone' than 'twilight.' So it is with The Hunger Games. Yet this is no allegory or cautionary tale - at least not in a way accessible to young minds. In the adrenaline-doused diary of Katniss Everdeen, it's a present progressive universe. More unrelenting than urgent. We're stuck in the unending infinitive. How else is a teen girl to document her own demise? the world she observes is all objects to her gerunds. She's 16 years old and there's nothing sweet about it. It's all acid, bile, blood and burning. She's the noble savage and coy flirt. Sounds a lot like High School. The only relief is a twitching retreat into your own troubled dreams.

The Nail

Saturday, April 23, 2011 2:19 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc. , Ministry , Short Stories

The man pushed up against the nail as long as he could stand the pain, pressing the palm of his foot more firmly into the splinters of rough wood behind it. His calves burned. God how they burned. His chest leapt to force in the air one last time before collapsing along with his knees. The burning began anew in his wrists.

Why??

*****

“Where’s Joshua?” His mother asked, handing the sack filled with lunch to her husband.

“Down at the shop. Why?”

Joseph stooped to grab the sack and sneak a peck on Mary’s cheek.

“You left him there with your tools out? He’s seven years old!” There was a little alarm and scolding in her voice.

“Really? You’re worried? Has he ever climbed up and grabbed a tool without permission? Come, woman. Your son’s practically Noah in his obedience. He’s in one of those trances of his, anyway, studying something new on the bench.”

“What is it this time?” She asked.

“A nail,” he replied. “The Legate wants that Roman-style table done by Shabbat.” Most of his work was done the traditional way, but this official wanted his table built in the Roman way, slammed together with iron pins. They had fascinated Joshua. Perhaps he’d never seen them before.

What's so 'Good' about 'Good Friday?'

Friday, April 22, 2011 10:04 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc. , Ministry

"...always be in a state of readiness to be surprised by God. Why not, since He is everywhere, and our inability to see Him is more a factor of our not seeking Him than anything?" John Fischer

"Then Jesus said "When you should be exalting Me, you will 'lift Me up' instead. Only then will your hearts be pricked enough to admit that I am the One; that I do nothing out of selfish ambition; that I simply brought the God-breathed Truth to you." John 8:28 TDG

God's intention, plan and action are always genuine surprises. Is it any wonder? He is so unlike us in so many fundamental ways. Yet His surprises are always good . Not of the 'pleasant happenstance' kind - but rather of the world-shattering, foundation-shifting, terrible, heart-crushing, beautiful holy sort.

On Good Friday God executed judgment on Sin once for all, meting out on His own flesh the penalty of all. He experienced death. He became fully human. With all its loneliness, guilt, shame and despair.

Once.

And forever.

Surprising, isn't it?

Trail of Tears

Tuesday, October 26, 2010 2:51 PM By crosswaysnet , In Book Reviews , Movie Reviews

Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here...

On first read, 'The Road' is all ending with no beginning. The world has long since descended into madness. Nature has abdicated. Abbadon has cleaned the table and cashed in his chips. The universe has shrunk to the flickering flame of one father and his only son. Unable to separate his identity from his only remaining responsibility, The man sets off to the South and his rendezvous with oblivion. As long as he moves the long scythe cannot take its final swing. Yet he knows he must prepare his son for the inevitable, one bleeding cough at time. Their language is sparse, poetry, but only of the free verse kind. It's the visual language of full-faced tenderness that is the world's final sonnet. They profess love till there is no breath left to bear the words. We've reached the endless sea.

Islamaphobic America?

Sunday, August 29, 2010 9:29 PM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc.

This is just too fine a piece to not reprint:

Islamophobic America?

Gary M. Burge, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College.

Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding (EMEU) Advisory Board

Are we all becoming – as Time Magazine suggests (Aug 30, 2010) – Islamophobic? According to one of their recent polls, 46% of us believe that Islam is more likely than other faiths to inspire violence against nonbelievers. 34% of us don’t want a Mosque in the neighborhood. According to an August 19 Washington Post poll, 30% of conservative Republicans who dislike Obama claim that he is a Muslim. Is “Muslim” the new political slur?

I’ve just returned from two Muslim countries in the Middle East. And as exposure goes, I’ve probably worked alongside more Muslims than I ever expected I would. I’m in the Middle East at least once each year, usually visiting multiple countries. I belong to an “Evangelical-Muslim” discussion group which meets annually and hosts 30 scholars from each side for 3 days of interfaith discussion. These are pious, brilliant, generous Muslim scholars whom I count as my friends. And when a topic like “Islamophobic America” comes up, I share intense personal emails with them.

The Lovely Bones - Trailer

The Lovely Bones

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 12:15 PM By crosswaysnet , In Book Reviews , Movie Reviews

This movie has been savaged by the well-meaning and those who don't know well what they mean.

What are 'the Lovely Bones?' Ah, now the answer to that will take a fair viewing to sort out. And the closing paragraphs from the lips of Susie Salmon will mean nothing to the viewer without the story that precedes it.

What of all the talk of Heaven? There is no Heaven here - just the longing for one. We peek over the rim from Neverland at the very end, but since we're not supposed to go there, we're not allowed more than a glaring obscurity. Some criticize the imagination of Peter Jackson for bringing us a techno-color CandyLand, all sugary sweetness and no nourishment. But that complaint completely misses his genius. This is Susie Salmon's time of bright shadows, not Peter's. Ripped from a world of polyester, psychedelic daisies and David Cassidy posters, we're entering a very different inner world than our 'today.' It's one of a 14-year-old young lady of the 1970s. It is groovy and timeless. Yet the horrors that preceded it bust in with alarming rudeness proving this is no Nirvana. Just when we've grown accustomed to this playground and think it will resolve, it crumbles to dust. As it must. It was never meant to be something of substance. Susie's looking glass is the quick blog of a soul beginning a much larger adventure. A tweet from the unending song.

Lost:The End - Much ado about NOTHING...

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 1:57 PM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc. , TV

See LOST: The End, Pt. 1

WWJD?

What Would Jack Do, that is. And that's what LOST comes down to.

The Finale was 'emotionally rewarding' to some and a 'total bust' to others. How can it be both? It depends on what you expected.

Most of us surmised all along that LOST was some kind of quasi purgatory. The Finale certainly confirmed that guess with a heavy dose of 'quasi.' Many presumed that the 'purgatory' theme meant that the series would eventually take on a more overt Christian bent, after wading through a morass of New Agey mysticism. But purgatory is not Christian theology and is found nowhere in the Scriptures. It was invented to gloss over the 'troubling' aspects of redemption doctrine and speak into those places the Logos chose to remain silent. The Gospel is indeed steeped in paradox. God as man and distinct from the Father and Spirit, for one. That God as Man could die, for another. That a virgin should give birth to the One who created her. That he who loves his life will lose it. It goes on and on. Some are stronger contrasts than others, yet the parlor of Christian faith is richly papered with them.

Translation-Chapter 12

Thursday, May 13, 2010 8:42 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 12 (Sunday, 11:30AM - La Grange, TX)

Somewhere outside San Antonio, a meeting takes place between a powerful businessman and his lieutenants. He expresses his anger at a 'situation' that is getting out of hand.

Simultaneously, Mitch seeks out the pastor and elders of the Living Way Church, asking them to pray over him. After a Sunday dinner at the pastor's house, prophecy is spoken and words of knowledge affirm Mitch's prayers for clarity and guidance. Mitch is translated during prayer and laying on of hands.

Translation-Chapter 11

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 8:40 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 11 (Sunday, 9:30AM - La Grange, TX)

After a makeshift breakfast, Mitch parts ways with the immigrants. He finds himself walking along another desolate stretch of highway. Dialogues with himself about what has been happening to him. Prays for understanding.

The road blends into the heartland Texas town of La Grand. Mitch steps into a Black pentecostal church for the service. The preaching is from Acts 8 and the story of Philip's 'translation' to meet the Eunuch along the Gaza road. The sermon convinces Mitch he's not crazy but he still feels lost.

Translation-Chapter 10

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 8:39 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 10 (Sunday, 2AM - Rio Grande, near Quintano, TX):

Mitch sees a group of illegal immigrants ready to cross the river. Another group prepares to ford the river, looking far more dangerous. Young, muscular and not speaking Spanish. Mitch tracks them after their coyote deposits them by the river. Soon one of the men is swept away by the current. Mitch instinctively rushes to rescue the man. He's stopped by the cries of another victim of the current - a young Mexican boy. Mitch has to make a choice. He ends up spending the night in a makeshift camp of the immigrants.

Translation-Chapter 9

Monday, May 10, 2010 8:37 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 9 (Saturday, 12AM - I35, Canyon West/South of Austin, TX):

Sylvia Colpoys was somewhere buying the finest pair of shoes she had ever seen. They fit marvelously. They flattered her legs. There was only one pair left. Best of all, they were on sale. It was a marvelous moment and it was being ruined by someone - her husband - jabbing her ribs with his elbow. Leave me alone, she thought. I haven't bought these yet.

Translation-Chapter 8

Sunday, May 9, 2010 8:27 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 8 (Saturday, 10PM - Oak River Fellowship Distribution Center, New Kassel, TX):

Mitch finds himself transported to the darkened warehouse of the relief ministry his wife used to administrate. A security guard stumbles onto some sort of illegal activity and is abducted. Mitch sneaks into the departing truck and frees the captive at a weigh station. Mitch gives him the cash in his wallet and warns him to hide with his family for at least a week. Left alone on a dark stretch of highway, Mitch asks "Where next?"

Translation-Chapter 7

Saturday, May 8, 2010 8:26 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 7 (Saturday, 3:30PM - enroute to Canyon West, TX):

C.R. pulled out onto the feeder road and came to a halt at the temporary stop sign. The construction signalman waved him into a left turn over the half-completed bridge. Between the traffic, the construction, and the back end of a slow-moving train just clearing the nearby crossing, it took them five minutes just to get across the Interstate. By the time they were beginning to move again, Mitch had finished his lunch, crumpled up the sack and stuffed it on the floor below his seat. He couldn't remember feeling that hungry in a long time.

Translation-Chapter 6

Friday, May 7, 2010 8:25 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 6 (Saturday, 2:30PM - south of Austin, TX):

Jalapeno Hunger-Buster Meal Deal, $3.99. Today only...

It's what the sign said.

C.R. Colpoys was staring at it intensely - or maybe his eyes were just boring a hole right through the marquee into outer space somewhere. Mitch couldn't tell. He was pushing himself into a sitting position, rubbing the stiff out of his neck. He moved his hand to the dull pain in his left rib where the seat belt had just been removed. It was almost as throbbing as the top of his forehead, which he touched more tenderly.

Translation-Chapter 5

Thursday, May 6, 2010 8:23 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 5 (Saturday, 12:30PM - Canyon West, TX):

It was time to take a long, deep breath.

Mitch sat back hard on the ground and attempted that very thing. His lungs ached and his throat felt raw. He hadn't noticed either of these things till that moment. He lifted his head enough to see the devastation around him. It was black for a hundred yards around a crater that hadn't been there an hour ago. Two fire engines had doused all the flames. Only a few patches of smoldering grass suggested there had been fire. That and the charred smell which filled Mitch's nostrils. It wasn't a natural, campfire smell. It was oily; noxious; carbon.

Translation-Chapter 4

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 8:20 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 4 (Saturday, mid-day, Canyon West, TX):

The big truck lumbered its way up the caliche drive, through old iron gates, painted many times over the years and set on rough-cut limestone pediments. A narrow road wound around the cemetery leaving barely enough room for the double back axle to maneuver without displacing edge stones. Two hundred year old oaks stood separate from each other, shading the tough Texas turf in places. The oldest monuments stood in the center behind short wrought iron fences, large hand-chiseled engravings giving testament to the hard life and early deaths of settlers. Many of the dates went back to before the Civil War.

Translation-Chapter 3

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 8:18 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 3 (Saturday Morning - Rio Claro, TX):

Blanco County, 4am. Brian Cox reporting:

"A Hill Country woman narrowly escaped a fiery death early Saturday morning when her minivan was destroyed by a hit-and-run driver along a lonely stretch of US 181, just north of Lubach."

Mitch was suddenly feeling thirsty, even though he'd only walked two hundred yards. He stood next to his mailbox, tightly gripping the whole newspaper. A fly was up early, lazily buzzing around Mitch's left ear. He ignored it as it settled somewhere on his hat.

What you can learn from a book review...

Monday, May 3, 2010 9:53 PM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc. , Novel-Avenhal

Well, the Publishers Weekly review is finally up on my ABNA quarter-final entry "Avenhal-Return of the Taneen." I was (mildly) hoping for something quotable and useful for future jacket revisions. Since most authors don't choose to tout scathing reviews, Ill probably pass on quoting them.

But in the interest of full-disclosure, I'm posting it here, with a few comments of my own to follow. Don't worry - I won't flame them. They're doing their job, and they proved they read the entire manuscript.

*********************
ABNA Publisher Weekly Reviewer:

In a time of war, three siblings are sent to relatives in the country, where they discover a mysterious gate between worlds.

Translation-Chapter 2

8:17 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 2 (March, Friday Morning - Rio Claro, TX):

Mitch rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and headed to the small corner kitchen of the cabin. Without a curtain, the morning light was pouring through the window over the sink. The big square of sunshine was working its way from the center of the room back toward the old pine cabinets. Mitch squinted as he stepped through the glare over to the coffee maker. Other than the electric stove and half-size fridge, it was the only other modern convenience in this little Hill Country retreat. It was also the newest. It was less than a year old and positively gleamed in comparison to the tired stove, cookware and glasses. It was also programmable and gave Mitch the satisfaction of not having to wait. He poured half a cup of his favorite Sumatran blend, added a small amount of half-n-half and stepped out to the back porch.

Translation-Chapter 1

Sunday, May 2, 2010 6:32 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Chapter 1 (November, 2006 - New Kassel, Texas):

The woman had been staring at the computer screen for a long time. It was getting dark already and a gloom had descended on the office. It felt appropriate. Soon she would be expected home to finish putting food on the table.

A steely blue glow was beginning to reflect off the polished desk as the parking lot lights blinked on one by one. Sonja Blackman looked out the large bay of windows at the colorless form of her hybrid Toyota Camry sitting alone in the parking lot. She should leave right now, she knew. Still, she was drawn back to the screen trying to make the message mean something else.

Translation-Prologue

Saturday, May 1, 2010 3:27 PM By crosswaysnet , In Novel-Translation

Prologue (June, 1995 - Monterrey, Mexico):

The day was clear and blue. Unusual for the normally dusty, urban skies of Monterrey. A cold front had pushed in all the way from the U.S., bringing with it crisp weather and taking away the haze of exhaust from cheap gasoline and open barrel fires. Things were changing fast in the early days of NAFTA, and with it came new wealth. But this was still Mexico. It seemed to be a constitutional right to burn your own trash. But not this late November day - too windy.

Movie Review-The Hurt Locker

10:32 AM By crosswaysnet , In Movie Reviews

If yer lookin' for subtly, look on.

The movie starts with this quote from NYTimes correspondent Chris Hedges: "The rush of battle is a potent and often lethal addiction, for war is a drug." Wow! Did you get it? War is addictive! Not to waste time correcting any misconceptions, all other words fade to black other than "war is a drug." (linger... fade...)

Get it yet?

Movie Review-Passengers

Thursday, April 1, 2010 12:18 PM By crosswaysnet , In Movie Reviews

I have great hopes for the future of Anne Hathaway's career. She needs a breakout role. This is not it.

I've seen the movie. My advice to you? Don't.

Kiersey Says...

11:13 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc.

Now I just gotta pay the extra $20 to find out if I'm an INVENTOR, ARCHITECT, FIELDMARSHALL or MASTERMIND... (What? No option for "EVIL Mastermind?)

Take your own test at:
http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/register.aspx

Custom Keirsey Temperament Report for: Bram Floria

Your Keirsey Temperament Sorter Results indicates that your personality type is that of the RATIONAL.

Top 5 Things I've learned (so far) from LOST-the Final Season

11:06 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc. , TV

5) There's 'Lost' 'Loster' and probably 'Lostest.'
4) NO one gets to die only once.
3) If it 'worked' it doesn't mean it worked.
2) Where there's smoke, there's murder.
1) Only WE can kill the gods.

He I Follow

11:05 AM By crosswaysnet , In Poetry

I have not been this way before
I will not see the destination
I only follow
where I am led
he with face toward day
shoulder to the wind
I catch the light and shadow
the sweat the blood and dust

Morro Bay

Monday, March 1, 2010 11:04 AM By crosswaysnet , In Poetry

(about like 20 years ago...)

Flit
Fly
Flutter
Float

Arrows dive
Fish meet sky
O'er the rushing bows of boats

More Ideas for the T-shirt Biz

Friday, January 15, 2010 11:46 AM By crosswaysnet , In Humor , Life etc. , Work

I'm a Consultant. I charge what I'm worth... then add 300%.

I'm a Lawyer. I speak a language you'll never understand, and I charge $300 an hour to translate it for you - and you still won't know what I'm saying.

I'm a Pastor. I'm highly-trained to mystify God's plain text.

Ideas for a T-Shirt Biz...

Monday, December 28, 2009 11:38 AM By crosswaysnet , In Humor , Life etc. , Work

No, seriously - I'm looking into it. Open to suggestions, so long as I get to copyright them! Here's the start list:
**************************************

Oh, you're still here.... Why is that?

Please, stop, now... Shirt can only absorb so much meaningless blather...

Can't we all just get along?
Apparently not...

Jesus, Lord at Thy Birth

Friday, December 25, 2009 11:09 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc.

So, we can say with confidence: God the Word dressed Himself in a body just like ours and lived with us, walking our streets and eating our food. And even clothed in flesh there was no mistaking His powerful authority. It was just as the written Word told us it would be - the magnificent Son of our Heavenly Father right here among us, full of the truth that transforms and the powerful riches of God which He gladly bestowed on anyone who asked. (John 1:14)

What happens when you have amazingly well-connected friends...

Sunday, September 6, 2009 11:14 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc.

...like Greg Hogan:

(My reply first)

Dear Pat,

To say I'm surprised and gratified by your email would be a gross understatement. My family and friends have gone to amazing lengths to share our faith adventure and needs with a tremendous array of faithful and praying people. Thank you, so much for the encouragement and support . My children are just as fascinated with your work and journey. We will all be praying for your mission and safety coming home. Feel free to let us know how we can specifically pray for you and your team.

Texas Weather

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 11:16 AM By crosswaysnet , In Humor , Life etc.

Dear Diary,

April 10:

Just moved to Texas! Wow! Would you look at all those wildflowers?! Who knew bluebonnets could grow in oceans like that??

The Shack

Monday, June 22, 2009 11:18 AM By crosswaysnet , In Book Reviews

by William P. Young

Why did I read this? After all, I'd been dissuaded a number of times by mixed reviews and my own reticence. I'm a parent, now. What dad wants to read about the abduction of a child?

Of those who previewed the book for me, they came from two camps: 1) Those who thought it was too 'New Agey'; and 2) those who thought it was the best theological writing in a century. Camp "1" almost prevailed before I even started. Camp "2" types always make my eyes roll. It's a piece of modern fiction, not the second coming of C.S. Lewis! Come on! God as Aunt Jemimah?

Grief

Friday, June 5, 2009 11:20 AM By crosswaysnet , In Poetry

(In memory of Webb Davis - Home with the Lord at age 32...)

When once a life that followed
proceeds before us
We are left behind
With and within our grief.

I am Stone

Sunday, April 12, 2009 11:21 AM By crosswaysnet , In Poetry

The Voice summoned me from the depths before there was time
I settled where the newly-formed sun could warm me
I witnessed the seasons of an eon or more before
The others were summoned to me

Where are God's "Yes!" Men?

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:24 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc. , Poetry

A man said "YES! Of course I'll go!"
There was no place, no distant land
No hungry heart, no reaching hand
He did not touch, or love not show.

Bram Likes...

Thursday, February 12, 2009 11:27 AM By crosswaysnet , In Humor , Life etc.

a. Go to Google
b. Type your name and the words "likes to" all in quotation marks. (e.g. "Stephen likes to")
c. Report back on the first ten things that come up for your name.

Mind you, it's not so easy with MY name, but it's doable. And I've learned SO much about myself!

According to Google, Bram apparently likes to:

Dancing with my Son

11:25 AM By crosswaysnet , In Life etc.

I measured Canon Scott in the crook of my arm today as we spun around the living room. Ten pounds and half again as long since I first held him six months ago. He seemed to enjoy a quick two-step.

And then it hit me.

I won't have this for very long.