Finalist for Cover Contest and New Articles
In this Post…
- D&SS Finalist! / Cover Contest at Authors DB •
- Unsolicited Advice / Two New Articles
- Ordering Information
D&SS is a Finalist in the AuthorsDB Cover Contest!
Daniel and the Sun Sword is a FINALIST in the AuthorsDB cover contest. Thanks to everyone who voted.
BUT…
Another round of voting opens on November 15th to determine the overall winner. You’ll be hearing from me again soon…
Unsolicited Advice
Several years ago, I wrote bi-monthly articles for a local magazine’s Good Advice column. I’ve now begun posting these in a new place on my website under a drop-down menu entitled Unsolicited Advice.
I currently have two posted, and plan on posting a new one every two weeks. Here are brief excerpts with links for the first two. Enjoy!
But Be of Good Cheer
Almost everyone I talk to lately seems to be going through something difficult. My grandmother is in failing health and struggles to adapt to life in a nursing home. Relatives watch as a loved one makes poor life decisions. Others struggle with debt and difficult situations with work. My 25-year-old friend suffers from a calcified brain tumor that impairs his vision, balance, and causes nausea every day. There can be no doubt about it, we live in a fallen world and people around us have problems. Jesus even predicts this in John 16 when he says that, “In the world you shall have much tribulation…” His words do not end there, however, and in half the sentence following, he speaks the calming words, “…but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” These are easy words to say, but how can we effectively encourage those around us who are in the midst physical or emotional pain to “be of good cheer”? After talking with several friends and family members, here are a few Do’s and Don’ts about encouraging those who are struggling. READ MORE…
I Don’t Feel Like Loving You…
The honeymoon phase of relationships is wonderful. People usually prioritize the time spent with their loved one, become other centered, self-sacrificing, gentle, and quick to forgive. Even in friendships we see a phase similar to this, wherein each person or couple, caught up in the joy of becoming acquainted with a new and exciting person, finds it easy to put others first. We feel hopeful about the future, and our lives seem filled up with activity and satisfaction.
Loving others who show love to us is easy and fun; it’s like a good business investment with the promise of a good return. But how long do honeymoons last? A week? A month? Maybe even a couple years? It’s only a matter of time, however, until something happens. READ MORE…
Ordering Links
Amazon
To purchase Daniel and the Sun Sword from my website…
$15.00 + S&H and tax
Local orders not requiring shipping…
$15.00 + tax
“Ancient Astronaut Theorists Suggest…You Buy My Book”
In this Post…
- Ancient Astronaut Theorists Suggest…•
- …You Buy My Book at a discount•
- Please vote for D&SS / Cover Contest at Authors DB •
- Please review Daniel and the Sun Sword On AMAZON! •
- Book Trailer •
Ancient Astronaut Theorists Suggest…
I don’t know about you guys, but I LOVE the Ancient Aliens show on the History Channel. It’s both hilarious and interesting. It’s hilarious because of the crazy guy with the weird hair, the number of times the phrase “As many ancient astronaut theorists suggest…” is said in each episode, and all the speculation. The interesting part comes in because the show’s popularity reflects the opinions of most Americans, which, according to a 2012 National Geographic survey, is that 77% believe there are signs that aliens have visited earth.
But what I’m most fascinated by is how frequently the show uses the alien hypothesis to explain away spiritual beliefs. “No, no. Not gods. Just extremely intelligent, insanely powerful, hyper-dimensional beings who planted you here on this earth and then disappeared and who may or may not come back to destroy you…or help you advance as a species.”
It seems to me that in our era of scientism, such an explanation is sufficiently naturalistic, while still appealing to the universal human fascination for what we don’t understand, while allowing us to avoid any personal responsibility to the divine. Once the supernatural is redefined as simply “super-advanced,” then it’s okay to avoid it, disobey it, fight it.
As I’ve said in Daniel and the Sun Sword, it would stand to reason that the similarities between the major mythologies of the world would indicate that they reflect some element of truth. For the Christian, that truth is mankind’s painful journey away from God, God’s plan to redeem us, and a judgment on evil.
Which is why ancient astronaut theorists suggest you buy my book at a 25% discount! See below for details.
Autumn Sale!
Order from my website between now and September 31st and receive a signed copy at a 25% discount!
♦Authors DB♦
Also, for those who haven’t voted yet, please please please don’t forget to vote on D&SS’s cover in the AuthorsDB Cover Contest. And remember, you actually have to “VOTE,” you can’t just click the Facebook “LIKE” button.
Click on the image below to be taken to the site:
Review D&SS on Amazon!
If you have read Daniel and the Sun Sword (and liked it), please go to my Amazon page and leave a review!
Book Trailer
The Olympics and You, and Also An Update
In this Post…
- The Olympics and You •
- Update •
- Please vote for D&SS / Cover Contest at Authors DB •
- Please review Daniel and the Sun Sword On AMAZON! •
- Book Trailer •
- Ordering information •
The Olympics
I’m not going to lie. In my household, we’re pretty big Olympics fans. We watch it every night (obsessively). I’m always amazed at the time and effort the athletes devote to their sport. They must LOVE what they do. At least, I hope they do.
Which gets me to thinking about us normal humans, and what we’re capable of. Those athletes have very visible talents, but God has given each of us gifts and talents as well—whether others know about them or not. And every gift is a tool through which you can experience the joy of God, if you will but invite Him to be with you while you USE it. I’ve found that more often than not, the greatest joy arising from using my gifts and talents usually comes when no one is around except me and Him.
This puts me in mind of the conversation between the Artist and the Spirit from The Great Divorce:
Spirit: “[In Heaven] they aren’t distinguished—no more than anyone else. Don’t you understand? The Glory flows into everyone, and back from everyone: like light and mirrors…”
Artist: “Do you mean there are no famous men?”
Spirit: “They are all famous. They are all known, remembered, recognized by the only Mind that can give a perfect judgment.”
In the private times and solitary places, create, practice, write, play, garden, run, cook, sing, build, walk, study…do. Simply because He has put it in you to do so. You are recognized by the only Mind that can give a perfect judgment.
Updates
Last week, Daniel and the Sun Sword was #58 in the Action and Adventure category on Amazon!
♦Authors DB♦
Also, for those who haven’t voted yet, please please please don’t forget to vote on D&SS’s cover in the AuthorsDB Cover Contest. And remember, you actually have to “VOTE,” you can’t just click the Facebook “LIKE” button.
Click on the image below to be taken to the site:
Review D&SS on Amazon!
If you have read Daniel and the Sun Sword (and liked it), please go to my Amazon page and leave a review!
Book Trailer
Ordering Links
Amazon
To purchase Daniel and the Sun Sword from my website…
$15.00 + S&H and tax
Local orders not requiring shipping…
$15.00 + tax
God Is in Those Moments
In this Post…
- God Is in Those Moments •
- Written a book? Submit a query for a critique!
- Please vote for D&SS / Cover Contest at Authors DB •
- Please review Daniel and the Sun Sword On AMAZON! •
- Book Trailer •
- Ordering information •
♦ God Is in Those Moments ♦
It’s easy to read about scary, fearful, or intense things. Sometimes it’s actually entertaining. Some of us even prefer books that are frightening (Stephen King; Dean Koontz). Even if we’re not reading suspense or horror per se, the characters in almost all plots will experience fear and anxiety.
But why do we enjoy it? Heck, how many of us spend our days protecting ourselves and our families against accidents, pain, loss, failure, and death, only to then willingly immerse ourselves into a fictional plot via book or TV which contains those same things?
It’s because of what comes after. Resolution, peace, safety. If you think about it, that’s the truly entertaining part—the moment when salvation arrives, the tide turns, the hero shows up, and evil is thwarted. This resonates with all of us because, regardless of what we say we believe, on a cellular level, we are wired to expect God to work out all things.
Over the next few weeks, look for His hand to “turn the tide.”
Notice the stories playing out in front of you everyday, and don’t forget to
pay attention to the part where help arrives.
God is in those moments.
♦Written a Book? Submit a Query for Critique!♦
Got a dusty manuscript somewhere that’s dying to be published?
Writing a query letter but need some direction?
Well, come on down to Red House Books on June 11th from 11:00-1:00 to get some tips on how to see your book through from start to finish. The first twenty to submit query letters* will receive a critique!
Copies of Daniel and the Sun Sword will be available through the bookstore, so click here for the Facebook Event page where you can RSVP. You can also do so by calling (334)-792-1475.
*Submissions can be sent to nathan.lumbatis@gmail.com and will be given back to authors in person on the day of the book signing and publishing presentation.
♦Authors DB♦
Also, for those who haven’t voted yet, please please please don’t forget to vote on D&SS’s cover in the AuthorsDB Cover Contest. And remember, you actually have to “VOTE,” you can’t just click the Facebook “LIKE” button.
Click on the image below to be taken to the site:
Amazon Is Open For Reviews!
If you have read Daniel and the Sun Sword (and liked it), please go to my Amazon page and leave a review!
This tale’s a wild ride with spiritual warfare, monsters, demons, action, adventure, coming of age, orphans, adoption, abuse, and the kitchen sink. This is Raiders of the Lost Ark in Machu Picchu. It’s action/adventure way over the top—great fun.
Book Trailer
Ordering Links
Amazon
To purchase Daniel and the Sun Sword from my website…
$15.00 + S&H and tax
Local orders not requiring shipping…
$15.00 + tax
Redemption: THE Master Plot
In this Post…
- Redemption: THE Master Plot •
- Please vote for D&SS / Cover Contest at Authors DB •
- Please review Daniel and the Sun Sword On AMAZON! •
- Book Trailer •
- Ordering information •
♦ Redemption: THE Master Plot ♦
~There is nothing new under the sun~
This is true of plots as much as it is of anything else. You’ll get a different list depending on who you’re reading, but here are several master* plots that pretty much any work of literature or visual media will fall within:
- Quest
- Adventure
- Pursuit
- Rescue
- Escape
- Revenge
- Temptation
- Sacrifice
- Metamorphosis
- Love
- Ascension and Descension
Arguably, the greatest stories are those which have several of these master plots woven within them. And THE greatest story has them all: the Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.
It is the fulcrum of all history—the beginning of the end of bad things. It is truly THE master plot from which all other good stories derive their appeal.
The necessity of his incarnation was predicted in the earliest books of the Bible, thousands of years prior to his birth. The details of His birth, life, death, and resurrection were foretold hundreds of years before they happened. And His resurrected body was seen by over 500 witnesses. Praise God that this story is true!
Trembling for joy cries all creation;
What is this mystery, so great and new?
The Lord has risen from among the dead,
And Death itself He crushed with valiant foot.
Behold the cruel tyrant bound and chained,
And man made free by Him who rose!
~Melito of Sardis, 2nd century
- *From Ronald Robias’s 20 Master Plots
- Image of cross courtesy of fairytaleweaver, https://www.flickr.com/photos/64939308@N03/6008183791
Authors DB
Please don’t forget to go vote for Daniel and the Sun Sword‘s cover! Click the book below to go vote:
~Please review on Amazon~
If you have read Daniel and the Sun Sword (and liked it), please go to my Amazon page and leave a review!
This tale’s a wild ride with spiritual warfare, monsters, demons, action, adventure, coming of age, orphans, adoption, abuse, and the kitchen sink. This is Raiders of the Lost Ark in Machu Picchu. It’s action/adventure way over the top—great fun.
Book Trailer
Ordering Links
Amazon
To purchase Daniel and the Sun Sword from my website…
$15.00 + S&H and tax
Local orders not requiring shipping…
$15.00 + tax
Nathan Lumbatis 