Monday, January 30, 2017

Sample: Waiting For Messiah by David Russell and Others

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is January 30, 2017 in my corner of blog land. Winter has returned, although in a mild form with at least an inch of snow outdoors and temps seasonal. That's fine with me. I continue reading the memoir of former US First Lady, Laura Bush, wife of former US President George Bush. She has an interesting story and background in both writing and teaching. Their twin girls are named after their respective mothers. The book is titled, Spoken From The Heart by Laura Welch-Bush.

I continue to be involved with work on two anthologies. One is on the theme of forgiveness and will tentatively be released in Spring.

The second, Waiting for Messiah, tentatively will be released late summer. It will feature about fifteen stories or poems centered around first century citizens of Israel awaiting the arrival of Messiah and what the wait may have been like for them. The authors are doing a very fine job at imagining likely emotions and circumstances in retelling certain Bible accounts. I am contracting outside assistance to copy edit these stories and may publish either with Lulu or KDP Direct. Here is an excerpt of one of the potential pieces that I have written.
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Musings Of A God-fearer
© David Russell


An upheaval has come that will reshape the lives and identities of people of faith throughout Israel for an inordinate time to come. Our city and its treasures lie in ruin: treasures of pottery made by our people are but shards; a treasury of ideas, produced by the minds of our people, have been rendered senseless and chaotic; even our greatest treasure, the Temple, the earthly dwelling of Adonai,
Who lives and reigns forever, is despoiled.
A great wailing is heard, for our temple is destroyed. Holiness and mercy were present in this
dwelling-place made for Adonai by His people. Where, now, will we find peace from our travails,
mercy for our transgressions, convergence with that which is holy?

The fragrance of our offerings to Adonai is replaced in our nostrils by a lingering, acrid stench issuing
from caustic decrees made by a merciless world power bent on global domination!

The conflict has been simmering and boiling for months, years, generations.
Conflict dressed as old opposing new; together follow only Adonai as our G-d, versus discordantly follow Adonai and any other gods of one's choosing; bring on the miracles to show us Messiah,
versus grant us wisdom, self-realization, understanding, and peace.

Adonai, Blessed be He, knows our Messiah from before creation of the world.
- Adonai knows the name of Messiah.
- Adonai knows on what date the Messiah will arrive.
- Adonai knows when and how the Messiah will establish his kingdom.

" His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)





Meantime, Kevod Yeheveh, his peace be yours today and tomorrow.
Mellow Rock
David Russell

Friday, January 13, 2017

Classical For Colds: Piano Quintet, E Flat Major, Robert Schumann

Hello Grafted In Readers,

Today is Friday January 13, 2017 in my corner of blog land. For the past few days I have had a "common cold" for which there is no cure. The "HouseCall Newsletter" from Mayo Clinic though suggests some remedies to possibly make one feel less agitated during these experiences. The common cold can last for up to two weeks. I did add a remedy of my own today that I used as the title of this post; yes it is a bit high-brow I know for a mellow rock listener but hey.

The folks at Mayo Clinic recommend the following remedies to not rid the cold but ease the misery of one.
- Rest and hydration with water, juice, clear broth, or warm lemon water with honey. This evidently loosens congestion. Coffee, (oops), caffeinated sodas, and alcoholic drinks can make dehydration worse.
- Add moisture to the air. Use a humidifier or a vaporizer.
- Take Over-the-counter medications or decongestants as directed! These will differ for children and adults.
- My remedy: Enjoy some classical music, in particular the Piano Quintet in E Flat major by composer Robert Schumann.

Meantime, Kevod Yeheveh and enjoy a good story.

Mellow Rock

Thursday, January 5, 2017

This Will Be Our Year (Acoustic, Kelly Willis)

Hello Grafted In Readers,

This is our first post of 2017, January 5, and it is cold outside in my corner of blog land. Somewhere below freezing and slightly above 0 Fahrenheit but probably in the low teens if that. Cold! I'm not as being indoors for two days settles that issue for me! There are a few topics to highlight today.

-On the health front, the Mayo Clinic newsletter, Housecall, has an interesting article about sleep and weight loss. It might take a few minutes to fully wake up from sleep, especially deep sleep, because growth hormones, stress hormones, and insulin hormones get released when we are in deep sleep. Everything goes back to some type of normal. If we get fragmented sleep or poor sleep, is there really a difference, then we snack the next day and might eventually gain some weight. The hunger hormone is complaining and being passive aggressive. My interpretation from being a parent.

The Mayo experts tell us to consider changing the type of pillow. Look at what disrupts sleep and get rid of it. No, not your honey. Also, turn off the mobile devices and "find a screen-free way to relax." Cuddle with your honey..

-On the writing front, late last summer I answered a call for submission from author Dan Gilbert, and today, am in his poetry worship anthology titled, Stones Before An Ocean. Paper copies are available internationally from the book seller online, Lulu. I pasted a blurb below.
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Stones Before The Ocean by Various (Paperback) - Lulu
www.lulu.com/shop/display-product.ep?pID=5478351Result details
Dec 16, 2016 - Visit the Lulu Marketplace for product details, ratings, and reviews. ... Stones Before The Ocean is an anthology of poetry for use in prayer and worship, featuring over 200 poems from modern and classic poets. ... Copyright: Daniel Paul Gilbert (Standard Copyright License); Publisher: Hewson Books ...

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Please tell your friends who practice faith about this volume. I am happy to be one of the authors with a short poem herein.

-For reading pleasure, "Coffee With" by fiction crime writer, Margaret Maron. A college Art Department chairperson is murdered by someone who taints his coffee and a few hours are being spent reading about "who done it." Answer yet to be revealed! There are eight or so possible prospects. The book in audio form is about six hours long and I have a little under 90 minutes remaining.

Until next post, Kevod Yeheveh, His Peace is with us in our moments of success and struggle.
Thanks for the drop-in!
Mellow Rock
David Russell