Pioneer Poet

Joy vs. Happiness

2011-12-21T07:11:00.001-08:00

Christmas is a time of the year where we wish others joy. Notice we don't wish them happiness. We want them to be happy but we don't traditionally wish them happiness.

But what is joy exactly? Is it the same thing as happiness?

According to the old trustworthy standard, Webster's Dictionary:

Joy is "an emotion evoked by well-being, success or the good fortune of possessing what one desires." and

Happiness is "a state of well-being or contentment".

So,they're they are essentially the same thing, right? No they are not!

The root word for happiness is "hap" and that is the same as the root word for happen.

Hap means "chance or fate". Therefore, happiness is a state of contentment directly related to circumstances or fate.

Joy is something much deeper and is not related to circumstances or "happenings".

In my experience, nothing on this earth will bring joy - just happiness...

If you want true joy you need Jesus!

J - Jesus
O - others
Y - yourself

So, keep wishing strangers joy and know in your heart that true joy can only be felt by knowing Jesus!

Spread this to others and I hope to see you down the trail...

Listening...

2011-12-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

The older I get the more I realize that life is meant to be lived at a slower pace than I'm living it. I crave solitude and simplicity and I'm probably not alone.

Oh, I've got all the "time-saving" gadgets everyone else has - cell phone, laptop with internet access, microwave oven, etc. But, life does not get slower and I'm only saving time on some things to lose them to other things.

The more gadgets I have the more work it is to control them so they don't control me. Busyness is very draining and I find that I can't hear God unless I'm quiet and still.

I wrote this little piece of verse the other day and it sort of sums up today's thoughts:

Turn off the TV
Turn off the phone
Read your Bible
and get all alone
God speaks in a whisper
He doesn't yell or shout
The TV and the phone
drown His voice out.

Working on listening and I hope to see you down the trail!

Almost Sold Out!

2011-12-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

My first book, E is for Ellisville, hit the web just a month ago and it is almost sold out of the first printing! So far, I have received many wonderful comments and it has been well received. For that I am thankful!

Keeping the history of my hometown, Ellisville, Mississippi alive was the purpose of the book and I am happy it is accomplishing its purpose.

I will be in Ellisville for a book signing event at the Ellisville Library sometime next year. I am working with the Friends of the Ellisville Library organization to get that scheduled and will let you know when.

Again, if you already have a copy, thank you for your support! If you don't yet have a copy, order it soon or purchase one at a book signing event. I am also working on placing books at a store in Ellisville - more on that later.

See ya down the trail...

E is for Ellisville

2011-12-02T08:04:00.000-08:00

It's been too long since I blogged. Seems like blogging is already a relic of the past. Now we're all on Facebook, Twitter, texting, whatever...but not writing anything more than a hundred or so characters.

So, since everyone has a short attention span I'll make it painlessly quick. I have released my first book! Drum roll please...

It is a children's book, for ages 8-12, titled E is for Ellisville. Contains 40+ pages of little-known historical information and 18 rare photographs about my little hometown. Available right now at www.ellisvillebook.com

No, it is not available on Amazon. Sorry, but Amazon takes too big a cut out of my small profit to make it worthwhile. Besides, on Amazon, it would get lost in the millions of titles.

Ok, you can stop the drum roll now- but keep blasting those trumpets and let's get this book moving!!

Take A Hike!

2011-03-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

Please don't take that title the wrong way. I am not telling anyone to get out of here and "take a hike"! However, I am strongly encouraging ya'll to get outside and take a good long look around you.

Personally, one of my favorite activities in the whole world is to take a walk in the woods. I used to hike and hunt with my father when I was a little girl. In fact, I owned my first shotgun when I was twelve years old. Sarah Palin's not the only girl who can look good and shoot good! There's plenty of those types all over this great country. But... back to hiking.

I love getting outside in the wilderness just for the pure freedom and joy of it. I don't enjoy hunting and killing. But, I can and will do it if I am going to eat what I kill or I need to protect myself or others. My daddy taught me that.

So, whether you are an experienced outdoorsman/woman or a newbie, take a hike and see all of the wonderful wildflowers that are blooming right now. I highly recommend the Blackwater Heritage Trail in Milton, FL. This is an old railroad line that has been paved and is now used as a bike/hiking trail. It is an easy walk and you'll love it! So, go take a hike!!

Leaves Falling in the Spring?

2011-03-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here in Pensacola, FL many of the leaves fall from the trees in the spring, not in the fall. Huh? I was mentioning this to my husband a few days ago and he had never noticed this phenomenon. I couldn't believe it! How could he drive around all day every day and not notice that dead leaves were steadily falling from the trees, mostly oak, collecting in the ditches and along the roadsides. If he didn't notice all of that activity in the natural world, how much more was he missing? I thought everybody noticed these kinds of things, but using my husband as prime example #1, I guess I was wrong in my assumption.

Maybe you're also one of those folks that hasn't noticed that we have leaves falling in the spring. So, let me explain this phenomenon. Here in Pensacola our fall and winter seasons aren't sufficiently cold enough to completely kill all of the leaves. So, in the spring as the new growth sprouts forth on those trees the old leaves are literally pushed off to make room for the new growth. That is why, here in Pensacola, we have the pleasure of raking leaves both in the fall and in the spring. Got it?

Now I leave you with this question - if you haven't noticed this what else may be going on that you have missed? A beautiful flower, a new bird's nest in the tree near your bedroom window, bumblebees buzzing around the daffodils? Little miracles all around you and you may not have even noticed...

Why God Why?

2011-03-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

I can't count how many times I have uttered those three words - why God why. Maybe you have too. Anytime something in life didn't go the way I planned or hoped, anytime a disaster or terrible illness struck, anytime something awful happened. Well, you get the picture. Often, at work, when I am working with a child who has been permanently injured from someone else's actions, I am left to ponder that question - why God why?

My grandmother, truly one of the wisest women that ever lived, used to say "God doesn't have to give us an answer, but all things will work out for good in the end." Truthfully, I used to very, very disatisfied with that remark. But, as I have gotten older and weathered my share of storms, I now see the wisdom behind her comments.

I can ask the question, Why God Why?, and I can get frustrated that I don't have an answer figured out. However, it doesn't change the fact that the answer will never come or, if it comes, it will not make sense to my mind. But, peace comes when I accept that I am not in control and I don't need to know. The simple fact that I am alive and breathing also doesn't make sense because I am not worthy, at least in my own eyes, of being here. Why me and why not someone else? Why am I alive when others are not?

Why the earthquake and tsunami in Japan? Why the earthquake in Haiti? Why war and bloodshed in Libya, Somalia, etc? It has taken me many years to be humble enough to believe I don't need to know. God made me and everything on this earth and He is in charge. I am a mere creation of his and I accept whatever He decides is my fate. I accept it because I love him and He loves me.

My earthly father used to say "Because I said so" after he doled out my punishment. I didn't like it but I followed his direction. My heavenly father also says "Because I said so."

Ecclesiastes 11: 5 "As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

Harvest

2011-02-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

For the past 4 years I have had specific goals/dreams written down and have also had a word or phrase for the year. That phrase is on my phone's screensaver and I see it multiple times each day.

The first year the phrase was Truth Trail. I spent all of that year intensively studying writing and the Word daily. Many truths became evident as I traveled that spiritual trail and old hurts, fears, etc. came to light. I have written about many of those things and my soul is now free of those chains.

The second and third years the phrase was Cowgirl Dreams. I had begun to realize as I had traveled the Truth Trail that I was a cowgirl at heart. I, once again, found my inner child and found those things that inspire me. I have the heart of an adventurer and a pioneer. I love cowboys, leather, horses, silver, wooden fences, open spaces, spacious skies, John Wayne, etc. I found new areas of exploration in my writing.

Now, this, the fourth year, my key word is Harvest.This is the year that I will begin to harvest from some of the seeds that were sown over the past four years. My children's book, Gracie's Greatest Gift, is on track to be published this year - a four year odyssey! My songwriting will produce a CD this year to officially launch my business endeavor, Character Trail Roundup. I have a poem that will be published in June on the website of Proverbs 31 Ministries - a poem that was conceived two years ago!

I know I don't blog very often because it begins to feel like "busy work". But, if anyone out there is actually reading this, take heart and know that God does guide and provide. My life for the past four years is living proof! The Bible verse at the top of my blog is my guiding principle and all I've shared today are some of the practical ways I use every day to stay on track.

Keep a song in your heart!

Busy Doesn't Even Begin to Decribe It

2010-10-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

I can't begin to describe how busy you can get writing and creating. My friends and former professional colleagues ask me "What are you up to?" After I tell them about my work on Character Trail Roundup and my children's books and my other activities, their eyes begin to glaze over and I can't help but think they are either thinking "She's crazy!" or "I wish I had time to do all of those fun things!" I prefer to believe they are thinking the latter. But, it amazes me how much "work" those fun things can be and how time-consuming it is to write and organize songs and performances.

I am, by nature, a very impatient person, so the amount of time it takes me from the inspiration to the completion is really a test of faith for me. I can come up with ideas so fast it makes my head spin. Thankfully, I am gifted with a stubborn-as-a-mule persistence and if I start something then, by golly, I'm going to finish it!! It just takes SOOOOOOOO long sometimes!!

I know I haven't checked in here on PioneerPoet much lately but, well, I've been busy. Sheila and I are finally launching Character Trail Roundup next week!!! We have "gigs" at Highland Baptist Church and at Gonzalez United Methodist Church. Only God only where we'll go from there. But, we have made some very important professional contacts and, hopefully, doors will open.

Also, I have written a song for the country music market and have gotten the attention and a chance to co-write with a songwriter who is a "Nashville insider". For those who don't study these types of things - THIS IS BIG!!! Just to get the attention of anyone who is anyone in Nashville is BIG, but to be asked by that "Nashville insider" to co-write on a song is SUPER BIG!! I'm still floating on a cloud of disbelief...

Check me out on Facebook to follow Character Trail Roundup 'cause I visit there alot more often than I visit this blog...

See ya' down the trail...

Hitting the Trail

2010-07-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

It has been way too long since I've blogged, but I have been very, very busy. I have completed my first children's book, tentatively titled "Gracie's Greatest Gift" and have also completed a book proposal for it. It is now being shopped to the Christian publishing market. I am also in the research phase for another children's book about my hometown, Ellisville, Mississippi. My vision is for it to introduce the reader to historical and interesting facts about Ellisville that are not compiled anywhere else. The only compilation of these facts is in the minds of the older citizens who have told the stories but they need to be preserved. I'll be traveling to Ellisville this month and will be happy as a lark camped out in libraries thumbing through dusty books and recording stories from "the folks".

Sheila, my songwriting collaborator, and I have launched a website and a facebook page as we hit the trail with our newest creative endeavor, the Character Trail Roundup. The website is www.charactertrailroundup.com and to find us on Facebook search under the heading charactertrailroundup. Become one of our friends and keep up with us. We are finishing up the songs and craft projects and will be marketing this children's event to daycare centers, schools, etc. We are trying to instill some old-fashioned values in today's children. Much prayer will be required!! Working up the program has been a lot of work but great fun. I can't really call if work!

I'll try to write more often, but if you want the absolute latest find us on Facebook! Keep a song in your heart...

The Latest

2010-05-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, Sheila and I, were honored to participate in the 10th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival at Molino Park Elementary School. We visited with the children and shared information on the craft of songwriting. We also performed at the end of the day at the Artist's Roundup. We, and a few friends, performed Sheila's original work "Old McDonald Had a Farm: A Blues Remix". Hopefully I'll be obtaining a video of the performance and, maybe figure out how to get it online for your enjoyment.

We've also been busy trying to get a copy of our song "Stand Up America" heard on the Honor Flights. We've visited Congressman Jeff Miller's office and our local superintendent of education's office to ask for assistance. No luck so far but we'll keep trying.

We've also been working up a workshop idea that I won't spill the beans on yet. It is very fun and exciting and I'll keep you up-to-date.

For now, keep a song in your heart and I'll see you along the trail!

Whew!

2010-04-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Since my last post I have been hard at work making revisions to my children's book proposal. Dare I say it is finished? Is it ever finished? It is done for now, I can safely say. The entire book proposal is "live" and available for viewing by the entire Christian book publishing market via the wonderful folks at www.christianmanuscriptsubmissions.com

I highly recommend using them and their affiliates at D.C Jacobson and Associates, author representatives. The time and money invested were well worth it and my writing has improved tremendously from my experiences with these organizations. Now I have a marketable book proposal that I can "shop" to the publishing world.

I have done all I can on this book proposal and it is now truly "in God's hands". Whatever He wants to accomplish with this book is what will happen with it and I am at peace with it. I have invested significant time and money to do the best I could with the talent I have and, now, I offer the work to Him. As the saying goes, "Do your best and Jesus will do the rest".

May you find peace today and keep a song in your heart!

I'm Still Here

2010-04-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Howdy! I know its been awhile since my last post but I am just swamped in work on my children's book. I am in the middle of finalizing my book proposal and it has required extensive concentration and time. Although I get frustrated and often think I can't keep going, I must admit I love it! It's kind of crazy!. Anyway, I had a wonderful phone meeting with Jenni Burke and her team at D.C. Jacobson and Associates (author management company) and it was well worth my money and time. I have learned so much and my writing has improved dramatically. I would highly recommend this service to anyone who is serious about improving their craft and seeking publication in the Christian market. I plan to get the final draft uploaded by end of this week. After that, it's truly in God's hands...
In addition to all of this work, Sheila and I are rapidly completing a rough draft of a Christmas song. We have been provided with an opportunity to "pitch" (songwriters parlance for getting a song heard by artists/publishers/etc.) it to the trio Point of Grace (www.pointofgrace.net). We just LOVE THEM! I'll let you know how this progresses. We have to finalize this song and cut a really good demo by the end of May. It has to be approved by our local Nashville Songwriter group coordinator and if it makes his "cut" then he forwards it to Nashville!!! There it will be "pitched" to the Point of Grace team. So if our song makes it to Nashville then it's in God's hands because the competition will be tough!! But we are thankful for this wonderful opportunity!

Keep a song in your heart and I ask for you to keep me and my work in your prayers. Have a blessed day!

I've Hit the Trail

2010-03-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

Well I just completed uploading my finished book proposal to my friends at www.christianmanuscriptsubmissions.com and soon I will hear back from my editor and literary agent. These are services I have secured to ensure this book proposal has the best chance I can provide to catch the attention of a publisher. God-willing it will find its way to the market.

I am both excited and nervous about what is next on this trail I'm on. Gracie is leading me on another exciting adventure and one that I hope leads to my dream of having a children's book published. Beginning today I will pray every day over this proposal. Pray without ceasing...

Keep a song in your heart and I'll write back soon with more adventures from the trail.

What I've Been Doing

2010-03-01T09:45:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since my last post and I apologize. I have been busy working on getting my book proposal written, rewritten, rewritten - well, you get the idea. Writing is truly 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration and is much harder than one imagines when one reads what someone else has written. Much, much harder...

Anyhoo, I am working up a book proposal and am partnering with www.christianmanuscriptsubmissions.com to get professional editing and advice plus make the finished product available to the Christian publishing market. I truly felt this was the appropriate door to go through to make my dream come true and get this book published. God-willing this is the right path.

Also, I have been busy researching titles similar to my book as these must be included in the book proposal. So, I've been meandering around children's shelves at the local bookstores. Exhausting and tedious work but somebody has to do it...

As I make my way down this trail I'll keep you updated.

Have fun today and keep a song in your heart!

I Saw Bubba!

2010-02-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I attended the Sunday matinee of "Bubba, Live!",a short play performed by the Panhandle Community Theatre in Pace, Florida. I, along with many of my writing friends from the Panhandle Writer's Group, wrote this play and it was fun to see how Myra Shofner edited the script and adapted it to the stage for the Panhandle Community Theatre. We laughed a lot and it was great fun to see our words, characters, and ideas come to life!

Not only was this my first attempt at writing a script it was my first time attending a small, local theatre group. We didn't have those things back in Ellisville, MS where I was raised. I guess we didn't need a theatre group since the locals provided all the drama we needed!

Hope you keep a song in your heart today!

Gracie's Journey

2010-01-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

About a year ago a new character came to my mind while I was taking one of my daily one hour walks. Her name is Gracie and she is taking me on a journey. As of today I only have a brief glimpse of where this journey will lead but, so far, it has been exciting.

I first wrote a children's book about Gracie's dreams of being a cowgirl. This book was written completely in rhyme. I learned a lot about writing poetry, writing for a target market (i.e. child's age that the book would be appropriate for), writing a book that is marketable, just to name a few. In other words, Gracie taught me quite a bit. I learned about trying to find illustrators, figuring out how I could self-publish this book, and how I could market it.

After about a year on this journey with Gracie, she revealed another story. This one about her greatest gift. She also lead me to BelieversPress.com and, I believe, she has helped me discover "my voice" in my writing. This book is written for a specific target market, for a specific marketing niche, and with today's children in mind.

As with practically all of my writing (books and songs), it teaches a life lesson and reveals a spiritual truth - "my voice".

Currently the book is being reviewed by some of my trusted writing colleagues and, after the inevitable revisions, it will be on to the journey of publishing.

Have a little fun today and keep a song in your heart!

New Look - New Direction

2010-01-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

Well, I have started the year already changing my mind. While I have updated and changed the look of Pioneer Poet I have decided to focus this entire blog on my children's book writing. I will continue to update it as new information (blogs, websites, books, etc.) comes across my path.

My songwriting continues but I will log info on that journey at www.myspace.com/ginnycruz. Feel free to check it out often.

Meanwhile I have completed my 3rd revision on my current book that is aimed at 1st - 3rd graders and it aims to teach an important Christian belief. That belief is that God gives each of us certain gifts and we are to use them to the best of our ability. It also illustrates that what we want is not always what God wants for us. After I get my final editing done I will be sending it to an illustrator for consideration. I'll let you know what she says.

Don't lose track of the child in your heart!

New Year New Look

2010-01-07T09:07:00.000-08:00

I am planning to update and revise the look and content of the blog. Since my writing has headed strongly in the direction of songwriting, the new year will feature more info and links about this fascinating craft. I will also feature info on children's books.

I want to thank all of you who follow my blog and I pray that you have received some encouragement and inspiration from something I have written. The blog has already achieved its initial purpose but its purpose has changed. I have new goals for it so stay tuned as I slog through reworking the blog....

Keep a song in your heart!

Having Faith

2009-12-16T09:18:00.000-08:00

My regular readers know that my songwriting buddy, Sheila, and I have been eagerly awaiting the results from the USA Songwriting Competition. We entered a great song titled "Stand Up America" but it didn't win or even place. Many of those that won were good songs and wonderfully produced, so I guess real amateurs didn't have as much of a chance in this competition as the rules indicated. However, we have received wonderful feedback from those that have heard this song and we know, by faith, that great things will come from this song. What will happen and when it will happen are things only God knows. But we continue to keep the faith.

As I complete my Christmas preparations, parties, gift shopping, and singing in the church Christmas pageant I am, once again, reminded of how very blessed I am. Please take some time to pause and reflect on all of your blessings. I'll bet your list of blessings is longer than your list of problems if you'll take the time to actually make those lists.

Remember Jesus is the reason for the season and without Him there really is no reason for this season. Keep Him and a song in your heart always!

Ray Shoop's Book

2009-12-03T06:41:00.000-08:00

As some of my readers know I am a member of the Panhandle Writers Group. One of my colleagues in this group, Ray Shoop, has published a great read titled Nu-Del Daughter of the Forest. I recently had the privilege of reading it and, as usual, Ray delivered a storyline that keeps your attention. I will probably never again hike in the forest without wondering if there are creatures living underneath the earth. But, I don't want to give away too much of the plot. This book definitely kept my attention and, much to my surprise, did not give me nightmares. I don't usually read this type of book but, since it was Ray's book, I made an exception. Then again, I will always wonder if there are creatures tunneling around and living underneath the ground just waiting to surface.....

Have a blessed day and keep a song in your heart!

P.S. Panhandle Writers Group book signing Friday 12/4/09 at Panther Computers in downtown Milton, FL from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Come out and see me!

Singing at Molino Park

2009-11-20T19:59:00.000-08:00

Check out the Singing at Molino Park link under Pioneer Poet Recommends! to see pictures and story about our performance of "Stand Up America" at the Veteran's Day celebration. This was so much fun and the children sang along on the chorus. What a great song we wrote and we have already been on quite a journey since we wrote it. This song has taken us to performances at Highland Baptist Church in Molino, FL, at Pine Forest United Methodist Church in Pensacola, FL, and at Molino Park Elementary School. Even though this song did not even place in the USA Songwriting Contest we will continue to sing it and follow it wherever it leads.

Sheila and I will be singing it at Open Mic during the Frank Brown International Songwriting Festival this weekend at Orange Beach, AL. Maybe it will find a home with someone there and will eventually get on the radio. Dream, dream, dream.....

Have a blessed day and keep a song in your heart

Hurricane Ida and Veteran's Day?

2009-11-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

Okay - the weather is weird. We are in the week of Veteran's Day and all of a sudden we have a hurricane? Did I hear that right I thought as it was announced on TV. It is cool and breezy with a chance of a hurricane? I don't believe ever in my life have I awaited a pending hurricane wearing long pants. Long pants and hurricanes in the South don't go together. Shorts, sweaty T-shirts, flip-flops and cold showers go with hurricanes. But, here we are sleeping in fall pajamas under light blankets with the ceiling fan FINALLY getting a well-earned rest and we are watching the Weather Channel tracking the pending hurricane. CRAZY!

Thankfully the cool weather basically choked Hurricane Ida into a mild but wet tropical storm and here we sit with the kids getting not one but two hurricane days off from school - CRAZY. Two days off for a tropical storm. We've had summer thunderstorms as bad as this storm for goodness sakes.

Veteran's Day is tomorrow and, hopefully, more celebrations will not be cancelled for a lousy thunderstorm. The veterans have endured much worse to defend us and I'm sure we can stand outside in some rain to honor them. Don't you think?

Have a blessed day and keep a song in your heart!

P.S. Performing "Stand Up America" this Sunday at Pine Forest United Methodist Church!!

Excitement is Building

2009-11-01T18:11:00.000-08:00

I have been unable to post in a few weeks as my house was flooded by a pipe burst and, well, things have been a bit hectic. Finding my clothes, my computer, my mind are all taking more time than usual...

The songwriting is progressing along and Sheila and I are getting excited and nervous as we await the results of the USA Songwriting Contest. The winners will be announced by Thanksgiving and, of course, we want to win. We know the song is good and we hope it receives recognition. This song has been performed twice already and we have four more performances in the next two weeks. All of these performances have come from "word-of-mouth" publicity. Someone hears the song and wants it performed. We just hope the judges also like it as much as regular folks seem to.

We also have our song "Lookin' Up" that may be performed before the end of the year. I'll let you know how that's going.

Look for more photos and, if all goes well, some YouTube video of upcoming performances. Thanks for your support!

Have a blessed day and keep a song in your heart!

Hello Friend

2009-10-12T18:12:00.001-07:00

Sheila and I performed our original song "Hello Friend" at Highland Baptist Church in Molino, FL yesterday. This is a song about Christians being there for each other during tough times and encouraging each other. The performance went well and the song was well received. We had quite a few people come up to us afterwards and share how the song touched their hearts or really spoke to them. The song delivered the message we had hoped and we were happy.

Next up is a few performances of our popular song "Stand Up America" during the Veteran's Day holiday week. No word yet on getting a gig at Pace United Methodist Church Arts & Crafts Festival. Hopefully we'll find out something soon.

Sheila and I are also busy working up another song about chasing dreams no matter your age. It's coming along well!

Look for pictures to be uploaded soon!!

Keep a song in your heart and have a blessed day!

Pensacola Beach Songwriter's Festival

2009-10-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

I attended the 1st Annual Pensacola Beach Songwriter's Festival this past weekend and had a blast. My songwriter buddy, Sheila and I spent a cool, clear evening sitting by the Sound listening to some famous Nashville songwriters share some of their original material with us. Afterwards we met John Nanni and Gary Talley (lead guitarist of The Box Tops). We were inspired to continue our songwriting road and continue making music and following through the doors that God opens up.

We will be performing our original song "Hello Friend" at Highland Baptist Church in Molino, Florida this coming Sunday. We are also performing "Stand Up America" at Molino Park Elementary School during the Veteran's Day celebration in November. Hopefully we will be able to get a performance slot at the upcoming fall festival at Pace United Methodist Church and debut our new song titled "Hey ACLU".

God continues to bless the songwriting collaboration that Sheila and I share so we continue to follow the path. Check back often to see where we are going.

Have a blessed day and keep a song in your heart!

Things are "Lookin' Up"

2009-09-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

The past week or so has been very fast-paced and exciting! My songwriting collaborator, Sheila, and I have been writing a new song. The great news is that a local gospel quartet named Lookin' Up has decided to perform that new song. After hearing one of Lookin' Up's performances a few weeks ago, Sheila and I were inspired to write a song for them. We were so inspired that the ideas we came up with were so similar that the song came together in about an hour! We performed the song for them this week and they loved it! They'll be working it into their program soon and I'll let ya'll know when it will be performed. Hopefully it will also soon be available for a listen online and I'll give you the link when I have it.

Please check out the Lookin' Up website and the link is in the sidebar under Pioneer Poet Recommends!

Have a blessed day!

God's Girls in Sports

2009-09-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

I just finished an interesting book titled God's Girls in Sports written by Holly Page. Since I have always loved sports I was interested in Holly's perspective. As a young child I was very active in sports. Unfortunately, unlike today, there weren't many sports available for me to participate in. Let's see, there was basketball, softball, and tennis. I flunked out of basketball as I entered high school. Being short at 5 feet 2 inches should provide a partial explanation. There's more to this story but I'll save that for another day. Softball was available only through a church league and tennis was just a hobby. None of these have ever amounted to something I could participate in regularly. Holly's book really spoke to me as it touched on some topics that adversely affected me during the years I participated in organized sports. Reading Holly's book has helped me learns some lessons from these experiences. Too bad I didn't have this book a long time ago.

If you are a young Christian girl or a mother of one that is participating in organized sports I highly recommend you get a copy of this book. Written from a parent's and a coach's perspective it is full of very helpful information.

Have a blessed day!

I Might Live!

2009-08-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know the title might scare some of you as your minds conjure up ideas that something terrible could be wrong with me. Please calm down. Nothing terrible is wrong with me - at least nothing I know about. Here in Pensacola, FL we have FINALLY had a reprieve from the typical August weather. Typically, as you read in an earlier post, we are existing in a sauna that is only abated when we scurry into our air-conditioned cars or buildings. But this weekend the sauna blew away and we awoke to refreshing, cool, dehumidified air. Yes the humidity is still above 70% but that is dehumidified compared to 90+%. We are absolutely giddy with a feeling of lightness as we get out of our homes and take walks in the neighborhood, catch up on much needed yard work, take on some postponed home repairs, or go to the beach and not sweat ourselves sick. Yes, I might live! The heat and humidity will return but this brief respite has renewed my spirit and re-energized me. I am so looking forward to fall.

Have a blessed day!

Friends

2009-08-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

I just completed another wonderful book titled The Friends We Keep by Sarah Zacharias Davis. Interesting observations were made about different types of friends we have or have had throughout our lives. Friends of childhood, friends at work, friends at church, friends with the parents of your children's friends, etc. It also delved into the deeper question of why we need friends and how friends not only shape our lives but tell us a lot about ourselves. This book really got me thinking about my friends and why I am friends with certain people and not friends with others. I'm a person that has always had friends and made friends easily. However I don't have a lot of friends and don't feel I need a lot of friends. I'm comfortable with a few, close friends. All other "friends" I classify as acquaintances. I choose very, very few close friends. What about you?

Have a blessed day!

Muggy and Buggy

2009-08-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

Anyone reading this not living in Florida probably doesn't have any sympathy for Floridians complaining about the weather, but we do and I am. While August is greeted by many as some of the best days of a dwindling summer it is greeted by me with disdain. This is the time of year when the temperature combined with the humidity make the air feel like you are wrapped in Saran Wrap. Hair lays flat, breathing is labored, sweat pours but doesn't evaporate, bugs buzz, grass is overgrown and the flower beds are full of weeds. It's kind of an in-between stage where we wait with eager anticipation of a slight dip in temperature and humidity rates below 90% are considered "cool". The air conditioner never and I mean NEVER goes off and if it were to fail we'd be ready to, well, it wouldn't be pretty. The heat is so crazy we deteriorate into delusions that hurricanes would be a relief. I used to be delusional like that until I lived through Hurricanes Ivan, Opal, and, oh yeah, Katrina! No, I don't sit and rock on the porch hoping for a hurricane anymore. Now I just sit and complain about this muggy and buggy weather and the dog days of summer in the Deep South - please pass the sweet tea...

Have a blessed day!

That Book

2009-07-27T05:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday in Sunday School class we were asked the question "Why don't people read the Bible regularly?" Various answers were offered up and as I sat there absorbing what was being discussed I couldn't help but think that the reason I used to not read my Bible daily didn't have anything to do with what others were saying. I didn't read it because I simply didn't make time for it. It wasn't that I was afraid of what I would find there or I didn't want to be faced with the truth about my behaviors that needed to change. I just simply didn't think it important enough to make the time for it. Not long after I finally began the daily morning habit of Bible study and journaling I wrote the following poem. God talks to me through my poetry and my songs. I thought I'd share it with my readers and maybe it will be of help to some of you. It will be published later this year in a book titled "Southern Side Up".

That Book On My Nightstand

I'm sitting on the edge of the bed
regretting some of the life I've led.
Slowly I glance over to look
at my nightstand and that Book

that has been there awhile.
While looking at it I smile
'cause I know that inside
is the comfort I need if I abide

by the lessons it provides.
So much wisdom lies inside
the pages of that Book.
Why don't I remember to look?

Copyright 2008 Ginny Cruz

Have a blessed day!

I Love Mountains!

2009-07-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a week in the Great Smokey Mountains - Sieverville, Tennessee to be exact. Home of the legendary Dolly Parton! I just love those mountains, but I guess you could tell that from the picture at the top of my blog. There is just something spiritual there for me and I wrote three songs while there. The cool mornings, gurgling mountain streams, multicolored greens of the trees, an unbelievable variety of wildflowers, and that "smoke" over the mountains, split-railed fences, horses grazing in green meadows, log cabins on the ridges, puffy white clouds on the horizon, shady footpaths leading off into the woods, roadside vegetable stands, fresh honey, and finally, country and bluegrass music. Even though my body resides here in steamy Florida, my soul lives in those mountains. Do you have a place like that? A place where your soul is "at home"? A place for spiritual rejuvenation and rest? If you haven't found it yet, keep searching! Everyone needs one.

Have a blessed day!

Storytelling

2009-07-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

I love stories and I read a great one this past week. The book is titled Helena: Unwavering Courage by Sylvia Melvin. Sylvia tells the story of her grandmother's life and she weaves an interesting story. After reading it I feel I knew Helena myself and am inspired by her life and how she lived it. Sylvia wanted to keep a story alive that had lived in her family for years. But it had only been recorded and passed down to others in the ancient storytelling tradition of word-of-mouth. Sylvia has preserved it forever not only for her family but for others as well. Her book has awakened in me an urge to follow her lead and record stories from my family. Maybe some of my readers will also be inspired to take her lead. Stories are important remnants of our lives and it is a very important job to keep the stories alive. Thanks Sylvia for reminding us of that!

Have a blessed day!

Scribbles

2009-06-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone! I must share with you my opinion on a book written by Tommie Lyn titled "Scribbles." While I won't give away the details or the plot I'll let you in on a little secret. Once you begin this book you won't be able to put it down. Plus, you'll never look at pencil scribbles in quite the same way again! Tommie Lyn has a knack for writing a fast-paced story and one you won't quickly forget! Pick one up at Amazon - it'll be a great summer read!

Have a blessed day!

Following Your Heart

2009-06-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in quite a few days as I have been out of town attending a funeral. Just haven't felt like doing the blog but am trying to get back at it. Sitting here this morning I was at a loss on what to blog about and have settled on the topic of following your heart. Ever since late 2007 I have been following my heart more closely than I ever have in my life. I finally, after many years, completely surrendered the direction of my life to God and am now allowing him to direct my path. Being a songwriter I can't help but think of Carrie Underwood's song "Jesus Take the Wheel" since that title really sums up my current situation.

Everything I was afraid of has turned out to be nothing to fear - a simple lie. I have spent too many years fearing things that were nothing to fear in the first place. Now I am on an absolutely incredible journey filled with excitement and fun. I realize that this path will not be a total bed of roses and will have disappointment and tough times, but I was going to have those anyway.

My devotion this morning was 1 Samuel 10: 3-9 and the message is basically God is with us and can be trusted to guide our paths. If you are still struggling with letting go of the steering wheel of your life, let me assure you Jesus is a very good driver! Let him have it...

Have a blessed day!

Refuge

2009-06-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

I have just completed a great book titled Refuge by John & Bessie Gonleh with Bruce Beakley. This is one of my book reviews I provide for B & B Media (www.tbbmedia.com) . John and Bessie were residents of Liberia and survived years of civil war, many near death experiences, the loss of three children, and countless other tragedies. But they are currently living here in the United States and this book is their story. I don't want to give away any details or suspense but I'm sure you'll have difficulty putting it down once you start it. It will also give you a first-hand account of what is actually going on in Africa and how little our dollars, via the U.N., actually accomplish. If you think you've ever truly been tested by God then please compare your life with theirs. I'm afraid most of us fall far short of this level of faith.

Have a blessed day and keep a song in your heart!

Finding God in The Shack

2009-06-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

As my regular readers know I am a book reviewer for B & B Media. Today's blog is a review of a recent read of mine titled Finding God in The Shack by Randal Rauser. Let me begin by saying that I didn't read the red-hot seller The Shack but have heard a lot about it. It's definitely a hot read, or so I've heard. I must admit that what little I had heard about it wasn't interesting to me. In fact, my early impressions were that it was along the same lines as The Secret. A spiritual book loved by the masses and tilted away from Christianity. So when the opportunity came up to read this critical review of The Shack came along I jumped at it.

Finding God in The Shack was a slow, and sometimes, difficult read as one might expect since it was written by a theologian and academic. However, I stayed with it and was very enlightened after completing it. Randy Rauser laid out very clear discussions on the entire book The Shack and also touched on many of the criticisms that have been voiced within the Christian community.

I won't touch on his specifics in this blog as I want ya'll to read it for yourselves. However, I will let you in on my opinion of Finding God in The Shack. If you want to read an intellectually stimulating, unemotional account of The Shack then read Randy's book. You'll be glad you did and you'll be able to have sound discussions about it with non-Christians who are enthralled with The Shack.

Have a blessed day and keep a song in your heart!

Magic

2009-05-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

Songwriting with a collaborator is sort of like sitting in a room with someone and tossing around a few ideas and, if God shows up, magic happens. Over the past two weeks my songwriting friend, Sheila, and I have been experiencing some magic. We're been hard at work birthing a new song titled "Stand Up America" and will be performing it at her church this Sunday night. We have recorded a demo (learned how to do this entirely in the past two weeks!!) and submitted it to the USA Songwriting Contest. We will also submit it for critique through Songwriters Guild of America. This song has taken on a life of its own and we're trying to scramble to keep up with it. Magic has happened and we may be getting ready to travel on a magic carpet ride! I'll keep ya'll posted.....

Have a blessed day and keep a song on your lips!

Steps of Faith

2009-05-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was having a discussion about faith with a Christian friend of mine. We were discussing decisions we had made over the years and how much faith was required to make those decisions. What exactly is faith? In my humble opinion it is belief in something unseen. It is following your heart or your gut and making a decision without seeing how it will all work out. Of course, this isn't safe or logical. I know that for me faith is very difficult. I like to plan out decisions and work my way through the steps to achieve the ultimate goal. But that doesn't exactly take faith. Faith is more like jumping into a boat and pushing off the shore and having no map or paddle. Trusting the wind to take you to where you need to go. Exciting and scary all at the same time.

I am at a place in my life where I am completely trusting God to fill my sails and send me where I need to go. So far nothing about this journey has been logical or predictable, but why am I surprised? Faith isn't logical. Who knows where I'll end up but I have a feeling the journey will be incredible!!

Have a blessed day!

Chasing Dreams

2009-05-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I'm a dreamer. When I dream I aim for great heights. I figure if I'm going to dream - dream BIG! In this I follow Reba McEntire's advice of "Dream big but stay humble."

Currently I have some dreams that are so "out there" I know people will think me crazy if I share them. I've shared these dreams with a few close friends and family and, while they are supportive and encouraging, I see a slight shade drop over their eyes as if they are unsure what to think.

In late 2007 I discovered that I could write songs, especially lyrics. This is most certainly a gift from God as I would never have decided to try songwriting on my own. It is absolutely not a logical idea and is definitely "out there." All of my plans for my life involve a well thought out and logical path to success, not a dream with no logical steps laid out on how to make a living doing it. But God is most definitely guiding me by the hand toward songwriting and the desire to pursue this is stronger than anything else I've ever experienced. I have faced numerous deep-seated fears in pursuing this dream and will face more as God strengthens me by walking this trail. I have had to overcome the beliefs that I couldn't sing, that songwriters are "just weird", that I'm not musically talented, that I can't perform in public, etc. You name it. But these are roadblocks that the devil has put up and for some reason I have chosen to believe them and not dared to believe what God was telling me. Crazy, huh?

But, I no longer believe the devil and am overcoming my fears and have chosen to listen and follow God completely. I don't know where He'll lead but if I completely trust him I will be alright and will climb to heights I never knew existed. One day you'll hear my songs on the radio. It may be a long time from now but one day it will happen!

Have a blessed day! Don't ever stop dreaming!!

Book Reviews

2009-04-28T07:28:00.001-07:00

I am an avid reader and have been asked to provide complimentary book reviews for B & B Media Group, a publicity company. My latest read is 10 Things I Hate About Christianity and I must admit that the title turned me off from the beginning but I thought I'd give the book a chance. This book was written by Jason T. Berggren, the founding member of Strongarm (a Christian band). Jason, admittedly, has an anger problem and it is very evident after reading his book. I must admit that if I hadn't offered to provide a review on this book I would have stopped reading it soon after I started it. I struggled through it and after reading it I'm still left with the unanswered question "What's the point of this book?" I'm not sure who the intended audience is. Is the audience disgruntled Christians and, if so, is the message that you are not alone? If the audience is non-Christians then this book will definitely not do anything, in my humble opinion, to bring them closer to a relationship with Jesus Christ. So, as I said earlier, "What's the point...?" After reading it I felt like I had read a disgruntled Christian's gripes and complaints but nothing positive was gained. If Mr. Berggren is training for the ministry then my observation is that maybe he's not ready. Sure, we Christians aren't perfect and we make mistakes, but even Jesus didn't hate us so why should Mr. Berggren? Jesus Christ is about love and forgiveness, not hate. He personifies a love we humans cannot possibly comprehend and even though he did occasionally get frustrated and, possibly, impatient with us he never hated us. Mr. Berggren even realizes in his ramblings that he is also guilty of everything about Christianity that he hates. So does he hate himself or does he forgive himself as Christ has forgiven him? The positive message of this book could have been that all of us, including Christians, have fallen far short of the love and perfection that Jesus Christ personifies. But, as Christians we are called to model love and forgiveness for the failings of ourselves and of others. Giving Mr. Berggren the benefit of the doubt, if that was his message I didn't get it.

Have a blessed day!

Reconnecting

2009-04-19T11:43:00.001-07:00

I've spent the past few weeks visiting a lot with family back home in Mississippi. Getting back to my roots is very important for me and I always make time for it. Eating, drinking, and visitin' with family and, as always, retelling old stories. I love stories and enjoy hearing them told by family, especially older family members, over and over and over again. I hope that you have good experiences with your family but I know there are many, many folks who have poor family relationships. May I encourage you to do your best, with God's help, to mend those relationships. Don't wait for others to do it but do everything within your power and pray for God's help to take care of what you cannot do yourself. There's nothing on this earth more important than family relationships and developing deep family roots. Those roots plus God will get you through anything life has to throw at you.

Have a blessed day!

Happy Easter

2009-04-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

I hope that you have a wonderful Easter this Sunday. If you are not sure of the meaning of Easter I encourage you to discover this for yourself. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Easter bunny, eggs, chocolate, etc. It is the day that Christians around the world celebrate the day that Jesus Christ arose from death. He was crucified on Good Friday and arose on Easter. Jesus is the only God in this world that is still alive. All others have died and their remains are still here on earth. If you don't know Jesus I encourage you to find out about him and ask him to be your personal Lord and Savior. Then, and only then, will you know the true meaning of Easter.

Have a blessed day!

Tea Parties

2009-03-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

Growing up I was a a tomboy. I loved the outdoors, climbing trees, riding bicycles, building forts, etc. I was not fond of tea parties or playing with dolls. However, I will be attending a tea party this April 15th with many of my fellow patriots. I'll be taking my children as this will be much more educational than anything else they'll be doing that day. We'll be bringing history to life with our own "No Taxation Without Representation" party. While I hesitate to bring politics into my blog I feel it necessary. My freedom to write about mountains, hiking, God, or whatever is threatened if our country falls. I'm afraid we're heading off a cliff and I have to do what I have to do. Please put legs to your fears and your complaints and get off the couch and do something. Write your congressmen, write a letter to the editor of your local paper, attend a tea party, but whatever you do do it peacefully. Name calling, hate speech, or foul language will not accomplish anything positive. Peaceful but persistent large groups of citizens can and will change this country. After all, that is what founded this country in the first place.

Have a blessed day!

Dreaming of the Mountains

2009-03-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

Since I live in Florida I know I shouldn't complain about weather but I wish I was in the mountains. When the azaleas and dogwood burst into bloom I long for the mountains. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy sunny Florida but my heart is in the mountains. Sitting on the porch of my log cabin rocking in a well-worn wooden chair and staring out over the valley filled with horses. That's my dream and one day I will live that dream. One day....
In case you didn't notice the picture of the mountains on my blog was taken at Roan Mountain Tennessee. Location of the largest natural rhododendron fields in the world and absolutely breathtaking. If you happen to stumble across my blog let me know your favorite locations.

Have a blessed day!

Marriage Advice

2009-03-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

While I don't consider myself an expert in marital advice I would like to pass along some very helpful information I recently read. A book titled Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage by Mark Gungor is chock full of really helpful, biblically sound advice. While I've attended marriage seminars and picked up advice here and there over the years I still learned quite a bit in this book. Mark is able to communicate very direct and insightful advice in a humorous manner. Plus he is willing to let you in on his mistakes and his human side. Pastors are human too, let we forget! I would highly recommend this book and I even think men would read it, or at least parts of it. So get out there and grab yourself a copy - but pay for it of course....

Have a blessed day!

I Love Birds!

2009-03-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

I love birds and have a bird feeder in my back yard. I sit at my kitchen table and watch them feast on sunflower seeds. There are house wrens, finches, cardinals, and an occasional woodpecker that fly in for a snack. I watch them hop up and take a turn eating and then hop down onto the ground to search for scraps while another bird takes his place at the feeder. I often wonder what they're saying to each other and try to see if there is some order to the feeding ritual. Each bird seems to take his turn and move along for others. The only bird that takes more than his share is the woodpecker. He's so large that the other birds fly clear and let him have his way. I especially love the male cardinals since they brighten up a dull, brown backyard. Spring is on its way but the green hasn't arrived yet. So for now I'll color up my day bird-watching.

Have a blessed day!

Lyrics Flowing Like Water

2009-02-25T19:15:00.000-08:00

My new songwriting collaborators - yes I have found two! - and I are working diligently on a bushel of songs. I'm not getting much sleep, I'm sorry to say, since song ideas and lyrics are just flowing out of my mind like water from a dripping faucet. Funny how this works. Song ideas and lyric ideas usually come when my mind is on other things and can come from the strangest places. Road signs, fragments of overheard conversations, feelings and images created by melodies, dreams, etc. All contribute to a final song.

I view it as painting lyrics over the music and when I'm inspired the lyrics flow over the music like water. It's a great feeling and some truly good songs are going to be written - I just feel it!!

Have a blessed day!

God Answers Prayers!

2009-02-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

I have been praying for a songwriting collaborator for awhile now and last week God brought her to me. I finally got up enough courage to post an ad on craigslist looking for a songwriting collaborator. Afraid I would get a load of weirdos, I prayed before I hit the send button to submit the ad. No, I didn't find any weirdos but what I found was a person so much like me it was just absolutely scary, in a good way. I had met her before, 6 years to be exact, when I evaluated her child for physical therapy services. We have so many mutual friends, acquaintances, and experiences that we are convinced that God has put us together. God had been telling her heart that she needed to resume songwriting since she had not been doing it since her child was born. So, after much prayer, she responded to my ad.

God does answer prayers in his time. It is just so exciting and thrilling when you knock on the door and it just swings wide open!! Cool, cool, cool.....

Keep your faith, have a blessed day, and have a song in your heart!

More Christian Than African-American

2009-02-06T06:57:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not African-American. I'm of Scotch-Irish descent with ruddy, freckled skin and strawberry-blond hair but I could relate to my latest read titled More Christian Than African-American. Kimberly Cash Tate authored this book and did a wonderful job of 'splainin her Christian testimony. Most of her life she identified herself as a Black woman and didn't have much love for other ethnic groups. She was friendly and kind to other races of people but didn't identify them as in "her group." I may not be Black but I have my "groups" also. I identify more with Whites, Southerners, college-educated folks, etc. I, too, am more Christian than anything else and Kimberly helped me see that. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, not just African-Americans. Her writing style is engaging and easy to understand and, if read from the heart, is applicable to us all. Thanks Kimberly for sharing your testimony and enduring the spear-throwing I'm sure you have been subjected to. You go girl!

Having A Blast!

2009-02-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

This is turning out to be a much better week and the writing is flowing again! My children's book is on rewrite #9 or is it 10? It's finally sounding great and I'm excited about the possibilities for this book. I am also finalizing a few songs that have been floating in my head for a few weeks. I'm actively praying for a songwriting collaborator since I'm not much of a musician. Anyone out there?

I am focusing on channeling love through my heart and out through my pen and sometimes nothing flows but other times magic happens. This is a week of magic and, oh it is so much fun! It is sort of like digging for gold and finding it!! And who doesn't want to find a little gold?

Have a blessed day!

Flowing Tears

2009-01-28T07:59:00.000-08:00

I've been kind of weepy lately. One of the downsides to an open, vulnerable heart is that the emotions flow more freely and sometimes flow right out of the eyes. I used to pride myself that I didn't cry often and, in my work as a pediatric physical therapist, you don't want to be a crier. But lately the tears have begun to flow and old memories and emotions that I thought were destroyed have resurfaced. I read in Amy Grant's book Mosaic that there is nothing in this world that a little saltwater can't heal. So these salty tears are healing something that I had thought was gone. Those memories/emotions weren't gone but buried alive. Nothing buried alive will stay buried: it digs its way back to the surface. Something good will come of these tears...

Have a blessed day!

Unclaimed Gifts

2009-01-21T08:42:00.001-08:00

I'm a big fan of Joyce Meyer and watch her TV show daily as I'm cooking dinner. The other day she was speaking on the subject of unclaimed gifts from God. Her analogy was that of a friend trying to give you a gift but you wouldn't receive it. God is that friend and he is wanting to hand over to me all of these gifts but I won't ask for them or receive them. Wow! That really got me thinking. I don't believe that I have ever refused to accept any gift that has been offered to me so why on earth would I refuse a gift from God. But when I don't follow his way and do as he wants me to do that is exactly what I'm doing.

What about you? Do you close your hands when God offers to give you blessings? I do and I have vowed to stop doing that. My #1 wish this coming year is to receive every gift that God wants to give me. What about you? Need some blessings in your life?

Have a blessed day!

Sleepless

2009-01-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been so filled with writing ideas that I can't sleep. I need a lot of sleep and walking the floors at night is killing me. I lie in the bed, sleepy since I've just read a good book until my eyes are closing, but the minute I turn off the lamp light and close my eyes the ideas start flowing. I get up multiple times and walk the floors and take notes. This can go on for hours and often I don't fall asleep until well after midnight.
Do any of you have this problem? I've heard other writers report that ideas flow after dark so I guess this is happening to me. Recently I have worked diligently on completing an inspirational poem for publication and a children's book. But ideas are flowing for songs and an e-book idea and, well, you name it. I'm also working on some inspirational greeting cards. The fount of creativity is flowing and it's keeping me up to all hours of the night. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to "go with the flow".

Have a blessed day!

Ouch!

2009-01-05T13:09:00.000-08:00

I spent the past few days rewriting for the umpteenth time a children's book and an inspirational poem. It's been said many times before that writing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. Well, I've been perspiring over these two works a lot. I know in my heart what I want to express but getting that down on paper using the proper words in the proper alignment takes a lot of effort. It is akin to giving birth to a creation and anytime birth is involved there is pain involved also. Hence my title "Ouch!"

My children's book is coming along nicely and I plan to present it as a fundraiser for a charity organization. All of my profits will be donated. The poem I hope to get published in a publication this year so stay tuned!

The trail I'm on isn't well marked and it isn't heavily traveled but it's heading up the mountain. So far the going has been difficult but very enjoyable and the views and the comrades have been wonderful!

Have a blessed day!

The End of 2008

2008-12-29T10:09:00.000-08:00

This will be my last post for the year 2008. It's been a difficult but very rewarding year. I guess it's true that some of the deepest joy can come during some of the deepest pain. I have spent this year dealing with many emotional and spiritual issues that have been buried for a long time. I can't say that going through this "healing process" was easy because it was not. It was, however, necessary for me to heal so I could move forward and achieve more in life. God wants the best for me and he wants the best for you. Healing long-standing hurts is not an easy task but God wants those hurts healed and peace and joy will come as they are healed. But, and this is a big but, I couldn't heal those hurts without God. God is the only salve for those wounds but, now they are finally healed.

I look forward eagerly to 2009 and hopefully, God has more joy and fun in store for me!

Have a blessed day and a fine 2009!

Reason for the Season

2008-12-23T11:41:00.000-08:00

Well I know it's politically incorrect to say what I'm about to say but I don't care. In case you don't know it Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas. It is not about a winter solstice or a winter holiday. It is about the birth of the savior of the world, Jesus Christ. The root word of Christmas is Christ and the word Christmas is always capitalized because it's someone's name. I also believe that the word Christmas should never be abbreviated, especially with the abbreviation XMAS. That X's out Christ and he's the only reason for the season in the first place. If you take Christ out of Christmas you've got nothing in my view.

I grew up knowing the true meaning of Christmas but so many folks today don't seem to have a clue. It is not about giving or receiving gifts although that is a part of it as Jesus was a gift to us from God. It is about giving and receiving love not things. The giving and receiving of things satisfies our pleasures but our true joy comes from giving and receiving love.

If you want more of the real story of Christmas please read from the Holy Bible Luke 2: 1-20. This is truly the greatest true story ever told. If you've never taken the time to read it please do it this Christmas. I hope you find the true meaning of Christmas this year!

Have a blessed day and a Merry Christmas!!

Pictures

2008-12-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

One of my Christmas projects this year is a digital photo album composed of old family pictures. I will be giving this to my sister and my mother. It's been a time-consuming process but quite a lot of fun. It has been an entire family effort as we each have made some contribution to the final product. I hope it is loved as much as I have loved doing it.

I have felt like I was visiting with these old pictures and spending time with family that are long gone. I want to protect these photographs and the memories they represent and share them with younger generations. It has also been fun to locate songs to go with these pictures as we compile a movie of the images. One of my favorite songs we will use is "Old Pictures" by the Judds. I love the Judds and really wish they were still making music together!

Anyway, I hope your holiday preparations are chugging along and that you are staying in a festive holiday mood! Enjoy your family this holiday and get out the pictures and tell a few stories!

Have a blessed day!

Steadfast

2008-12-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

This is a word that has been on my mind for a few days. I read it in my daily Bible study. I want the Lord to give me a steadfast heart and a steadfast spirit. So what exactly does the word steadfast mean? According to Webster's dictionary it means "immovable" or "not subject to change" or "loyal". Reading these definitions begs the question what does an immovable or loyal heart look like? What is that heart anchored to to make it immovable? What is that heart loyal to?

In my case I've anchored my heart to the teachings of Jesus Christ and I am working steadfastly each and every day to be loyal to His teachings and guidance. I've found an unquantifiable peace from that practice and it allows me to be stable and immovable through the storms of life.

Maybe you're needing a steadfast heart also. If you are then I would encourage you to tie your life to Jesus Christ. He is the true rock that doesn't change or move with the changing winds of storms. He is steadfast and I should be also.

Have a blessed day!

Turkey and Football

2008-11-29T16:42:00.000-08:00

Two of my favorite things this time of the year are a golden brown turkey with all the fixins and a good Southeastern Conference football game on the TV. Of course, my favorite SEC team is the Florida Gators. I am a UF alum. This past weekend I had my fill of both of my favorite things. Lots of turkey, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole with a crusty pecan topping, butter beans, soft rolls, ambrosia, and pecan pie along with a good dose of football. My team won of course!

But of course, these things would mean nothing to me without the love and togetherness of my family. We had a good time visiting and looking through old pictures. It's always amazing to look back and see how corny we looked back when. Time does fly though doesn't it?

I have so very much to be thankful for and I do my best to remember that every day. I hope you also had a great thanksgiving holiday and had your fill of your favorite foods and entertainment. It's hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner...

Have a blessed day!

Songwriting

2008-11-17T07:21:00.000-08:00

I had an absolutely fantastic weekend. I attended a local songwriting workshop sponsored by the Songwriter's Guild of America. Guest speakers were numerous hit songwriters such as Rick Carnes and Randy Sharp. Some of the most inspiring and down-to-earth people that I have ever met. I was honored just to be in the same room with them. God has indeed sent me off on an incredible journey.

Not only did I learn a lot about the craft of songwriting but I realized that many songwriters have had the same experiences that I have. Many described how the melodies or lyrics just started flowing out of them like water. They don't know where it comes from or how it came to be but songs were born. Most of us described having songs come to us during the night or at odd times when our minds were on other things. Many of us aren't musicians and don't play an instrument yet there is music coming out of us.

I can now say with more confidence in myself that I am a songwriter. This is a purpose that God has gifted me with and I must use it as he leads. What a wonderful journey this is turning out to be.

Have a blessed day!

Mysterious Ways

2008-11-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

God does work in mysterious ways. He has placed in me a strong desire to write songs. If you knew me personally you would know how far out in left field this is. I'm not musical and have never really thought about or actively tried to write songs. I've spent my studies in science and physical therapy. Not in the arts at all.

A year or so ago I began to have song lyrics coming to me regularly. Even in my sleep. Then I would try to write melodies to these lyrics. This has to be God's doing because it sure wouldn't be something I would think to do. It says in the Bible that God will put a song in your heart and he has done that for me. He's made me a songwriter and I love it.

I'll be attending a songwriting retreat this coming weekend where I will work on the craft of songwriting and co-write and meet many hit songwriters. I'm just absolutely as thrilled and excited as a kid at Christmas. I can't wait!

God does indeed work in mysterious ways but when he says do something we're supposed to do it. Even when it seems crazy! Who ever said God was logical?

Have a blessed day!

Waiting.....

2008-11-03T10:50:00.000-08:00

Change is coming... No matter which way you vote in the presidential election- change is coming. Even if you don't vote - change is coming. The only thing constant in life is change. And frankly, I don't always like it.

Change can be a wonderful thing if your life is improved or gets a bit easier. Real, fundamental change, however, is not wonderful when you're going through it. It's extremely tough, scary, and downright bleak at times. I know 'cause I've been through a lot of scary changes in my life. Maybe you have too.

Today, I'm waiting and praying for the change that is coming. I'll vote tomorrow and "put my two cents worth in". Like everyone else I hope my guy wins. But, in the end, it won't change who I am or what I believe in. My
strength doesn't come from politics, the opinions of television personalities, or whatever. My strength comes from God and that is unwavering. So, let the change come. Let the winds blow because I'm not afraid.

Have a blessed day!

The Sound of Stillness

2008-10-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

I love solitude and that's why I enjoy writing. Writing is a solitary activity and I love living inside my own head interacting within my imagination. Lots of activity and noise seem to drain the energy right out of my body much like a battery running down.

Today is a day of stillness and listening to the wind blow through the yellow/green leaves on the birch tree outside my window. That sound is one of my favorite sounds and I can hear God's whisper in it. "It'll be alright." "The world isn't coming to an end." "Put your faith in me not the stock market."

Some days it's best for my sanity to not read the paper, to turn off the television, to turn off the radio and pretend I'm back in the days of old when word traveled by mouth and communication wasn't instantaneous, hyper, and overbearing. A time when the day was filled with a lot of stillness and time for prayer, deep conversation, and reflection. Sometimes, I think, it's better not to know about everything but to concentrate only on what's important, timeless, and constant.

The wind will still blow tomorrow. The seasons will continue to change. God will continue to whisper to anyone who is still long enough to listen. Today is a day for stillness.

Have a blessed day!

Who's Winning the War?

2008-10-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote a poem/song that is titled "Between God and Me" and it's about the inner struggle that I have dealt with as long as I can remember. The basic struggle is between what I want to do (my flesh) and what God wants me to do (God's spirit). We all struggle with it even if we aren't completely aware of what's going on. The words of my work are:

Between God and Me

Now that I have gray hair on my head,
I realize that the life I have led,
Wasn't the best I could have had.
I should have followed what Jesus said.

I grew up knowing wrong from right.
For some reason I couldn't quite,
Let go of the steering wheel.
In control I had to feel.

On my own I've done alright,
But inside of me it's been a fight,
Between God and me.
In the end, his way will be.

True peace and joy will never come,
Until I return to where I'm from.
The place I have tried to ignore.
The place I long for more and more.

The place of safety in His hands.
Nothing on earth should ever stand,
Between God and me.
I know that's how it's supposed to be.

Copyright 2008 Ginny Cruz

My experience has been that true peace, joy, and purpose have not come until I was lined up with God's will for me. My flesh has always sent me off in the wrong direction and it always will. "What job do I want?" "What should I do with my money?" "What should I do with my time?" The questions should be "What job does God want me to have?" "What does God want me to do with my money?" "What does God want me to do with the time he has given me?" Important differences.

So if you wondering why you're not really happy in your life maybe you're not only asking the wrong questions but you're losing the war between God and yourself.

Have a blessed day!

What's Your View?

2008-10-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

As my regular readers know I love the mountains and the picture on my blog is an example of what I love to view. I love to look out over the mountains and the valleys and marvel at the beauty and awesomeness of it. I'm always at peace when I'm up in the mountains.

But, I'm not usually in the mountains. I'm down in the day-to-day humdrum of life like everyone else and my "view" isn't as peaceful as the mountains. My "view" includes my family, my friends, perfect strangers, TV, etc. My family and friends make up a wonderful "view" but many of the strangers I meet are just downright rude. The images that come across my TV are vile and not worth watching. These "views" are what many of us concentrate on everyday and it's no wonder that we are so depressed, angry, and feel disconnected.

I know that what I see on TV does not, in any way, reflect my views or my life. It seems to reflect a modern day freak show that isn't down at the local fair but it's in my house! That is why I don't watch TV very often and am extremely selective of what I view. I realize that what I view daily determines my "view" of the world and my place in it. So, I encourage you to check what your "view" is and if you don't like it, don't be afraid to change it.

Have a blessed day!

Rock of Ages

2008-10-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

Some of you may be familiar with this old hymn. I grew up singing it at the Baptist church while my grandmother played the piano.
"Rock of Ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure.

While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown, and behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee."

These are verses #1 and #3. Some of the words are definitely not modern and kind of mysterious but the phrase I'm most drawn to this day is "...let me hide myself in Thee".

After reading the news and pondering the future of the American economy plus the anxiety of the pending presidential election, I really want to hide somewhere and just cover my head 'til it all blows over. My money won't buy what it used to, my job doesn't pay what it needs to, my retirement account is heading in the wrong direction and the future looks bleak. I'm old enough to remember how things were when Jimmy Carter was president. Believe me, it was terrible. Many of these young voters that are swayed by the current Democrat's charisma don't have a clue how a liberal government will truly affect them and their jobs. They think money's tight now, just wait. I can remember car loans with interest rates at 15-17%! Thank you Jimmy Carter!

Enough about politics, but that's why I want to hide somewhere and pray it all blows over. Nothing is safe except the Rock of Ages. So that's what I'll continue to cling to because I know it won't move or shift out from under me.

Have a blessed day!

Keep Climbing

2008-09-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

I love mountains as you can probably tell from my blog's picture. I love hiking along trails and climbing, climbing, climbing to see if I can get to the top of the mountain. Looking out over valleys and far-off vistas is always inspiring to me and I am absolutely amazed at the God that formed all of this. It also reminds me in a tangible way how small I am in the total picture.

I received another rejection letter from a music publisher this morning. Last week I received another rejection letter on a children's book that I authored. Needless to say I'm working today to try to cheer myself up and to "keep climbing". When I started on this trail of writing I knew it would be narrow, difficult to navigate, and steep, but the view from the top could be absolutely spectacular. I know there will be times of great progress and times I just have to sit down and rest a spell. But, no matter how many letters of rejection I receive, I must and I will continue to climb. Turning around and going back down is not an option! Few will be on the trail with me but we will encourage each other and we will hold hands if we have to, but we will keep climbing.

Have a blessed day!

Open Heart = Open Hands

2008-09-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking alot over the weekend about what it means to be a giver. I have mostly been a selfish person holding on tightly to my time, my money, my stuff. I've not been really open with my heart to give freely of my time, my talents, and my money. I've been working on changing that over the past year or so and I can truly say that I am improving in this. I am also a much happier person. It's true that you reap what you sow. If you sow love and good acts you will reap love and good acts. But I also know that you can't give what you do not have. Without the love of God in my heart I didn't really have the love to give to others. The more you love God the more compelled you feel to love others and to help out as much as you can.

An open heart causes you to open your hands. You can't give anything away if you don't open your hand to release what you're holding and you can't receive from someone else if your hand isn't open.

So I hope you'll join me in opening your heart to receive all the love that God wants to give you so you can open your hands and share that love with others.

Have a blessed day!

Count Your Blessings

2008-09-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

Many of you may be familiar with an old hymn titled "Count Your Blessings".
One of the lyric phrases from this song is: "Count your blessings name them one by one." I'm trying to keep that little phrase in mind lately as I navigate my day-to-day existence. I'm sure my days are similar to the days many of you have. Getting the kids ready and to school, working either at my job or around the house, picking up the kids and driving them to their after-school activities, cooking dinner, washing and sorting clothes, well, you know the rest of the story... Anyway most of this gets pretty dull and mundane and it's easy for me to forget that all of these things are truly blessings. They're not always exciting but they are blessings that I know in my heart I don't deserve.

Having these wonderful children in my life and participating in their lives are some of the greatest blessings in my life. Both of my wonderful sons are adopted as my husband and I were never able to have biological children. God has indeed blessed us richly as our two sons are absolutely marvelous. Only God could have put this family together and I try to not forget that each and every day. So for now, I hope you have a great day and, no matter how bad today is for you, don't forget to count your blessings and name them one by one....

Have a blessed day!

Blue Monday

2008-09-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I'm blue today. I've
been doing a lot of exploring and writing about
my past and emotional traumas. It's been therapeutic
but saddens me to bring up bad memories. I'm
sure many of you can relate. At the age I am, 48, I'm
spending a lot of time looking back and regretting and
mourning time that's already past. Time I'll never get
back. I'm saddened over mistakes I've made and poor
decisions. Things I can't go back and change.
I've never really done anything terrible but with the
acuity of hindsight I realize that I could have done better
also. It's been helpful for me to excavate these memories
to unravel where I went astray and how I got on the wrong
path in my travels. It's a slow and painful process but I
feel it's necessary for me to move into new frontiers and to
make peace with the past.

New frontiers can be scary and exhilarating as I have found.
I'm excited to think of where I'll go, who I'll meet, and what
adventures I'll experience. But, I'm also afraid of what I'll
have to unload and leave behind. Friends, jobs, familiarity...

If you've had similar experiences please let me know. I'd love
to hear from you!

Have a blessed day!

New Frontiers

2008-09-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day!
I am embarking on new frontiers hence the name Pioneer Poet. Since beginning my writing I have been very busy writing song lyrics, poetry,
children's books, and short stories. For many years I thought about
writing but didn't know what I could write about. Now that I've finally
started I can't seem to stop. Funny how just writing sort of opens up
a door and creativity just starts pouring out. Has this happened to any
of you? It's very exciting and, sometimes, a bit nerve wracking. I find
myself waking up often in the middle of the night with song lyrics or
poetry coming to me. I have to get up to write it down before I forget
it. Sometimes these words are like grasping at wisps of smoke. They
disappear when you try to retrieve them onto the page. Let me hear
from some of you and share any of your experiences.

Here's another poem and I hope it helps you.

Lying Here Dreaming

Lying here dreaming
I let my mind fly
Higher and higher
Straight up to the sky

Lying here dreaming
I let go of the lies
That tell me I'll never
Fly very high

Lying here dreaming
I once again believe
That I am invincible
Anything I can achieve

Lying here dreaming
My spirit soars free
Thanks you God
For showing me my dreams

Copyright 2008 Ginny Cruz

Have a blessed day!

The Miracle of Writing

2008-08-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

Some of you may already know this but I didn't until recently. Writing, preferably in longhand (for you texters and computer geeks that means
using a pen or pencil and paper;)) has the amazing ability to connect you
to the voice of your soul. I'm one of those people who has a logical mind
and that has served me well in physical therapy. But my logical mind is
lousy at showing me what my heart (soul) is trying to tell me. I have
spent the majority of my life (48 years so far) following what my head
(logical mind) was telling me to do and not following what my heart
(soul) was wanting to do. Hence, I've not been happy or satisfied with
any life choice that I've made that my heart wasn't behind.

But, what was my heart wanting to do? I tried to find out but I never
did until I started daily journaling in longhand. I was amazed at what
came out of the tip of my pen if I allowed myself to write quickly and
without thinking too much about what I was writing as I wrote it.
Just writing whatever pops into my head. Absolutely amazing what
God has written through me. My heart's desires have been revealed
and I've identified fears, frustrations, impediments, etc. that I could
not see clearly before I began writing.

Some of you may wonder if this blog is my daily journal and, no, it is
not. That is too personal to be aired out on the world wide web like
dirty laundry on the clothesline. Placed outside for all the world to
see. No, the daily journal is for only my eyes and yours
should be too. It's completely private. It's safe and that is necessary
for you to feel safe so you can completely bare your soul. If you're
like me you'll be surprised at what you discover on this journey. I found the Pioneer Poet!

Have a blessed day!

Thank God for Anxiety

2008-08-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted to get back to ya'll with more information on why I thank God for anxiety. Twice in the past 2 years I have suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks so bad that I have had to take extended leaves from work. I couldn't drive to take my kids to their schools and after-school activities. I could barely even eat. I was "hanging on by a thread" and absolutely miserable. After a lot of searching online I came across the best answer I've found in handling panic attacks and general anxiety. It is the Panic Away program and I highly recommend purchasing it. I receive nothing for my recommendation to you. The strategies discussed in this program do work. And they can work immediately. So look into it...

One thing that was mentioned in this program was daily journaling or Morning Pages. This is discussed in great detail in a book titled "The Artist's Way". I highly recommend reading this book. God led me to these answers and by incorporating these strategies into my daily life my life has been transformed! Yes, I mean it.

I journal or complete my Morning Pages at least 5 days a week. I practice gratitude by reading my Bible every day and sometimes twice a day. I pray daily and often. This writing has helped me identify what I'm anxious about and I have found answers to what I need to do through my Bible readings and my writings. I hope this helps some of you.

As much as this anxiety has been an absolutely miserable, and frightening experience it has also been a life-changing experience because of the journey it's taken me on. I've found new lands, new experiences, and new frontiers to explore. I'm happier than I've been in a very long time and I have a new purpose in my life.

God has shown me a previously undiscovered talent of writing poetry and songs. I was quite literally a poet and didn't know it!

Today I'll leave you with a short poem that I wrote during some of my worst anxiety.

Have a blessed day!

Get Me Out of the Bed
Lord, help me get out of the bed
Quieten the fears swirling in my head
Give me the strength to get up and pursue
All the many things you would have me do.

Copyright 2008 Ginny Cruz

Welcome Bloggers!

2008-08-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today is my entry into a new pioneer - the world of blogging. I was inspired to begin this blog during my daily Bible readings. I was praying for ways to help others through my writing and this idea came to me. So I embark on this new journey, thus the name Pioneer Poet, in the hope that something I share here will be of benefit to someone who reads it.

Let me begin by saying that I plan to submit a weekly blog preferably on Mondays. That's the plan at least.

Today I wanted to begin by telling you a story that I'll title "Thank God for Anxiety". Now I'm sure if you've ever had anxiety you probably didn't thank God or anyone else for that matter for the horrible sensations that go along with anxiety. Neither did I when I first started dealing with severe anxiety and panic attacks. But now, a year later, I do thank God. The reason is that by digging down into my thoughts and emotions through daily Bible readings and daily journaling I have come to realize that the root of my anxiety is in my need to write and to use my God-given creativity. I wasn't doing this previously. I was keeping up a fairly standard diet of work, taking care of kids, taking care of a house and husband, and, basically taking care of everything but me. Hence, my descent into anxiety, fear I couldn't handle anything else on my plate, and panic attacks.

It's been a very long, and sometimes scary, road but by going through this challenge I have discovered a need, a passion, and a strong desire to write. I hope that it helps you half as much as it's helped me. I'll leave you for now with the thought-provoking idea that if you're suffering from anxiety that maybe God is trying to tell you something. I don't believe things happen just to happen. I believe all things happen for a reason. If you believe that too I encourage you to try to find out why you're anxious. Daily quiet time, Bible reading, and journaling are my personal favorites.

Matthew 6: 27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

More to come on this in the future. For now....

Have a blessed day!