Small Town Joys

After living in Central Florida and Baltimore, Maryland, nearly all of my adult life, moving to the small town of Middleton, Tennessee, in June of 2007 brought many changes, nearly all of them ranging from good to heavenly.

I began to notice the differences immediately. After we bought our house, the real estate agent, Mr. Virgil Nutt, drove us to the gas company to establish our service, which was about 25 miles away, then to the electric company and the driver's license office. The entire trip took about 2.5 hours, and he didn't financially benefit at all. He had already earned his commission.

When we were looking for new counter tops for our kitchen, my wife called a supplier in another small town that was about 45 minutes away. The woman at the store gave her directions, but we stopped for lunch, which delayed us by about half an hour. When we arrived, the store clerk came out and gave my wife a hug. "I was so worried about you," she said. "I thought you might have gotten lost!"

That was just the beginning. Now that we are settled here, everyone seems to know us. I went to our bank recently, and the teller greeted me by name. When I handed a check to her and asked for cash, I instinctively reached for my wallet for identification, but before I could get it out, she had already counted out the money and put the check away, without even looking on the back for an endorsement.

Since I ship out quite a few books, I go to the post office frequently. The clerk is required to ask if any items in my package are "fragile, liquid, or perishable," so I told her she could shorten it and ask if the package has anything FLOP. Now when I walk in, she asks the question that way every time. Even if I haven't checked my P.O. box for an oversized package notice, she hands a package to me, and if the rural carrier is there, she asks me if I want my mail before she makes her daily run. All of this comes without anyone asking me my name. After being accustomed to impersonal service, these experiences are both delightful and a little spooky.

At the town's grocery store, Kirk's, the bakery ladies know me, because I frequently come in for a couple of donuts, usually right after my post office visit. When they see me, they sometimes have my order in a bag before I can tell them what I want. I sometimes laugh and tell them I'm going to surprise them someday and change my order, but I don't think they believe me.

Probably the greatest delight of all is the rural setting. My wife and I go on long walks on lonely country lanes, seeing deer, turkeys, songbirds, and foxes. What a great time for prayer and meditation! We drop in on our neighbors uninvited and chat for a while, and they do us the same favor. In just a few months, we have made true friends. Amanda quilts with the elderly lady up the road. The retired firefighter stops by to help with our horse fence. A neighbor calls and shares news, asks what she can pray about, or to tell us she's going to make a chocolate pie for us, just because. Coming from a land where neighbors only smile and wave on their way to a too-busy-to-bother-with-conversation day, this place really does seem like a piece of heaven.

I don't miss the bustle at all. Sure, Wal-mart is a lot farther away, but without the crazy traffic, it doesn't take any longer to get to it than it did before. Do we have a McDonald's? Nope. Wendy's? Negative. But you can go to the Southwind's Restaurant, get some fried chicken, okra, turnip greens, and black-eyed peas, and listen to the latest news from the gathering of locals. The blend of southern cooking and sweet southern chatter is a delight that can't be described adequately. You just have to sit and let it soak in. I think it won't be long until I adopt some of that southern twang. It feels smooth and easy, almost like the down-home food relaxes your voice and says, "Honey, this is the good life."

And it is the good life. Y'all come and visit us sometime, you hear?

Adding to or Taking Away From Scripture?

I have noticed a flurry of blog chatter concerning my book Eye of the Oracle. Some claim that it violates the biblical command regarding adding to or taking away from Scripture, that somehow since I use a biblical framework for my fantasy story I have crossed a line into forbidden territory. Of course, this accusation that has no foundation at all, but since the claim seems to have grown worldwide web spider legs, I will address it here.

I assume the accusers would point to one or more of the following verses to back up their claims:

You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)

Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32)

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)

No one should add to the commands of God or take them away. No one should add to his word at all and claim it is Scripture. No one should point to any Scripture and claim it is not God's word, thus taking away from the word of God. In obedience to the word of God, my stories commit none of these errors.

Eye of the Oracle is a fantasy story. It mentions biblical characters and stories and creates a fictional account, asking "what if" questions, thus creating a new story. My story is not true. I don't claim it to be true. In fact, I emphatically claim that the extra-biblical events that I created never happened.

Is this adding to the commands of God? Of course not. Am I claiming that my story is scriptural, and thereby adding to Scripture? Definitely not. Am I pointing to any part of Scripture and saying that it's not true? No, again. Therefore, I am neither adding to nor taking away from Scripture, and I have heeded the Bible's warnings.

Still, I am claiming that the story communicates truth in a powerful way. Since the only "what if" questions I ask are in areas in which the Bible is silent, it never contradicts Scripture, and for many readers the story shines light on what the Bible teaches in a way that is helpful and enlightening. The story communicates unconditional love, selfless sacrifice, godly perseverance, and God's faithfulness in ways that line up exactly with biblical truth.

Some people worry about my use of myths such as Lilith and Naamah or stories from the Book of Enoch. Certainly I am not the first to do this. Both Tolkien and Lewis borrowed from myths, and the book of Jude in the Bible quotes from the Book of Enoch. I think I'm in good company. I certainly can't find any Bible command that forbids the use of such things in telling a fictional story, so if someone claims that God forbids it, who, then, is the one adding to the commands of God?

Others are concerned about the presence of evil or occultic influences in my story. Yes, they are there, portrayed in all their wickedness. Evil is clearly evil, and good is clearly good. The Bible does the same, showing us what the forces of evil are like and how the children of light can overcome them. Again, I am in good company.

I tell stories to illustrate truth, fantasy stories that open our physical eyes to the unseen spiritual world. Jesus did the same. He told us of a camel passing through the eye of a needle and performed wondrous miracles. Although his miracles really happened, if they were put in a storybook that took place in another world with a name other than Jesus, it would be a great fantasy story.

I sat at the feet of my Lord and learned about using fantastic stories from the Master Himself. That is the greatest company of all.

Last of the Nephilim Finished!

I finished Last of the Nephilim yesterday and turned it into AMG Publishers. It's a relief to have it done, but there is no rest for the weary. I will now turn to the editing process for Eternity's Edge, book #2 of Echoes from the Edge, and when that's done, it will likely be time to start the same process for Last of the Nephilim.

After that, I have to write book #3 of Echoes from the Edge (as yet untitled) and book #4 of Oracles of Fire, The Bones of Makaidos. During this editing and writing period I will be teaching at the Florida Christian Writers' Conference and the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference, and I will be going on promotional tours in Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, Maryland, Florida, and New Jersey, as well as local events in Tennessee. I appreciate your prayers for me and my family as this hectic season of life continues.

All of that said, it's time to celebrate. I'm excited about the story and looking forward to readers' reactions, and having it done is a great reason to do something fun here at the Davis home tonight.

Thou, O Lord, Art a Shield

Psalm 3 has been a comfort to me today. I'm certain most of my blog readers are familiar with it, but I thought I'd post the text anyway.

1 O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.”

3 But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain.
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For Thou hast smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
Thou hast shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Thy blessing be upon Thy people!

I am thankful today that God is a shield. (Text is from the New American Standard Bible, 1977)

Reviews from the Edge

Zondervan sent out pre-publication copies of Beyond the Reflection's Edge to about fifty readers, and the reviews have been amazing. I will post a few of them here, and I will post more as the release date (May 1) approaches.

If you would like to order an autographed copy of the book now, I will take pre-orders on my ordering page - Click Here

Action, intrigue, and take-home value—the very essence of a powerful story and…the defining characteristics of Bryan Davis’s new novel: Beyond the Reflection’s Edge. Davis ratchets up the intensity right from the start, grabs you by the throat, and draws you into sixteen-year-old Nathan Shepherd’s world, a world where nothing is quite what it seems. Readers will white-knuckle through the pages until the stirring conclusion where, at last, they can exhale. ~ Wayne Thomas Batson, Author of The Door Within Trilogy, Isle of Swords, and Isle of Fire

Beyond the Reflection’s Edge is a sci-fi thriller, packed with action & adventure, that hurtles along at top speed from beginning to end. ~ L.B. Graham, Author of The Binding of the Blade series

Bravo, bravissimo! The book came alive in an ever-increasing crescendo of action, science fiction, love, and adventure. The plot begins at a fast-paced allegro and quickly becomes a glorious accelerando poco a poco al fine. A true masterpiece worthy to be played before the Great Composer himself. Encore! Encore! ~ Caleb Schlamp, Age 15

You can describe this book with one word—WONDERFUL! It had me guessing even through the very end. A well thought-out plot and believable characters, though what the characters go through are things they never thought possible. This is one book where even before you read the first page you’ll need to buckle your seatbelt and hang on for dear life! ~ L. A. Clark, Age 17

Coming to Arkansas

In order to promote my new book, Beyond the Reflection's Edge, I will be signing books at the Skia Christian bookstore in Bentonville, Arkansas, on Saturday, May 10. If you're in that general area, I hope you'll come and see me at the store. I'll post the exact time at a later date.

I would also like to schedule talks at local schools, homeschool groups, libraries, churches, etc, during the days leading up to the bookstore event. So, if you would like me to come to your group on Thursday, May 8 or Friday, May 9, please let me know. There will be no charge. You may either begin the contact by commenting on this post, or email be at bryan at dragonsinourmidst dot com.

I'm looking forward to this trip. I hear that part of the state is beautiful.

A Fluorescent Idea

As an author, I love words and the images they conjure. Yesterday, I spent some time replacing old light bulbs with the new energy-saving fluorescent type. They look really cool.

You know how a light bulb turns on above a cartoon character when he gets a bright idea? These bulbs made me think of that. Wouldn't it be funny if new cartoons used these bulbs instead, indicating a different kind of idea, maybe an energy-saving idea?

Then I thought about the fact that fluorescent lights are a problem for some people. Sometimes the flickering or the noise can cause headaches, and the type of light can lead to other illnesses, so some people don't like them at all.

And that led me to this "bright idea." I'm inventing a new term. When you have a great idea, but it's likely to bother some people, call it a "fluorescent idea." For example, if you decide to paint your house pink or erect a twenty-foot statue of Groucho Marx in your front yard, that would be a fluorescent idea, because it's likely to annoy the neighbors. If you decide to save money by wearing the same pair of socks every day for two months, that would be a fluorescent idea.

So here's what I'm asking you to do. Please use this phrase whenever you can. If someone has an idea that you think is annoying, tell them out loud that it's a fluorescent idea. Use it in your writing. I'm already trying to figure out how to put it in one of my books. Use it in emails and chat rooms, explaining the meaning to those who don't understand. Let's make it part of the new lingo.

If you have an example of a fluorescent idea, tell me about it in a comment.

I know. Some people will think the idea to do this is fluorescent, but that's okay. It will only help to spread the word about this great new term.

Book Covers

As many of you have noticed, I have a poll on the left side of my blog page asking which of my Dragons in our Midst/Oracles of Fire book covers is your favorite. I'm keeping it there for about another week, so please cast your vote if you haven't already.

Circles of Seven is the clear leader, which is no surprise to me. It's also my favorite, but as I study the results and note the second and third place covers, I noticed that the top three covers all have a scene that includes a clear and present danger. Tension is high. While they all evoke curiosity and intrigue, it seems that people like scenes that make you think the hero had better do something right away, or the consequences will be terrible.

What makes a book cover appealing? What makes you want to pick it up and see what's inside? Is it danger? Colors? People's faces? Beautiful scenery?

Regarding immediate danger, when I saw the cover of L.B. Graham's book Shadow in the Deep, I immediately wanted to know what the story was about. Although my writing schedule kept me from reading it, my eldest son assures me that it's great.

Regarding colors, check out the cover of Wayne Thomas Batson's new pirates novel, Isle of Fire. The artwork gives us a blend of beautiful colors and dark shades, and the danger element is there, as well. Definitely a lot of intrigue. Anyone who picks it up knows he's about to embark on a danger-filled adventure.

Contrast that to the cover of my novel Beyond the Reflection's Edge. Colors are intentionally muted. No imminent danger. Yet it still gives a sense of intrigue and makes people curious. With the reflected hand, the city skyline at the bottom, and the musical score in the background, the cover gives us plenty to think about.

And when I think about the covers that are coming, I get excited about the potential reaction. I saw a preliminary cover for the fourth book in my Oracles of Fire series, The Bones of Makaidos, and I know that some of my readers are literally going to squeal when they see it. It shows something my readers have been wondering about for almost three years.

So, tell me. What kind of book cover appeals to you? Can you think of a particular cover that you think is great? What made you pick it up? What cover disappointed you? Maybe it promised something the book didn't deliver.

Let's talk about it.

What's on Your Desk?

I thought it might be fun to show you what my desk looks like on a typical day and ask you post a link to a photo of your desk.

To the left, you can see my desk, and if you click here, you can see a larger version, but it's high-resolution, so don't click if you have dial-up.

Can you spot the following items (roughly from left to right)?

A galley copy of Beyond the Reflection's Edge, an empty glass, my laptop computer, a stack of post-it notes propping up my laptop because it overheats, nail clippers, partially unwrapped Hall's cough drops, a pen, an open envelope, a pad of blank checks, a wallet, a paper clip, chapstick, the checkbook where the blank checks belong, a thumb drive, a video camera, my monitor with my favorite photo of my favorite person, a spider on top of the monitor. a wireless keyboard, bookmarks, a weather station that currently reads 37 degrees, a cup with pens and pencils, two Duracell batteries, blue-handled scissors, a wireless Microsoft mouse, bottle of water, various receipts, a brown box, and two bottles of vitamins.

People sometimes say that your desk reflects your character or personality. Is that true? If so, what does my desk say about me?

How about your desk? Post a link to a photo and give me a list of things to look for. No fair cleaning up before you take the photo! Then we can psychoanalyze you.

I hope some people will do this. Otherwise this will be a waste of time. Invite your friends to come here and post a link to a photo. Post your desk on your own blog and link back to mine. Let me know you did it, and I'll post a comment on your blog. Maybe we can start a desktop blog tour and make it spread throughout the Internet.

Okay, so I dream big. No matter what happens, let's have some fun.

The Envelope Please

We have a winner in the "Appreciate a Dragon Day" poetry contest. After agonizing over all the great poems with my wife and one of my children, we chose the finalists and made the difficult decision.

Ian posted as Fantasy Loving Christian, and he will receive a copy of the Circles of Seven Audio Book.


Here is his poem:

By blessed praise and holy fire
Dragons came to fight
To serve the righteous King of Life
Warriors of the light

Corrupted ones, the fallen fire
In darkness named their race
Yet some stood strong and kept the word
Of God’s eternal grace

In deepest darkness of the world
The fallen angels raved
But evil power could not touch
The dragons who were saved

Beyond the scale, beyond the claw
An evil war is fought
To claim eternal faithful souls
That once in sin were caught

The dragon’s tooth, the dragon’s claw
The dragon’s holy fire
Are not as strong as faith and love
Which lift us gently higher

For we, the dragons, now must choose
The king that we will serve
Will fight for darkness or for light
We dragons of the earth?

Congratulations, Ian!

Appreciate a Dragon Day!

January 16 is the official "Appreciate a Dragon Day." So, if you know a dragon, tell him (or her) how much you appreciate him. Dragons always enjoy a nice pat on their scaly backs, or a belly rub, if you dare. I hope you like the outstanding portrait of Makaidos, one of the dragons from my book series, drawn by thirteen-year-old Kristin. (Thank you, Kristin!)

To celebrate this holiday, I am running a contest. Create a short poem (at least four lines) about dragons and post it as a comment. I will pick the best ones and draw a winner at random from the finalists.

After you post, send me an email with your email address so I can contact you if you win. The prize is the Circles of Seven audio book. My email address is bryan at dragonsinourmidst dot com. Replace the "at" with "@" and "dot" with a period.

I reserve the right to reject any poems, and the winner must live in the U.S. or Canada (Postage is expensive.) The decision of the judge is final.

******** Added on Sunday, January 20 ********
The poetry contest for Appreciate a Dragon Day is now over. I will announce the winner soon.

Writers' Conferences - Just Do It

I believe that attending writers' conferences is the best way for aspiring writers to learn about the craft, to network with editors and other writers, and to get published. I will be teaching the teen track at two upcoming conferences: the Florida Christian Writers' Conference near Bradenton, Florida, February 28-March 2 (Click Here) and the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference near San Jose, California, March 14-18 (Click Here).

If you're a teen writer and want to take a serious class on writing fiction with an emphasis on fantasy, you might want to check these out. At the Florida conference, there are a few $200 grants available for teens. That will help a lot.

Adult writers will also benefit greatly. I might even let you sneak into my class, especially if you bring cookies. My career as an author began because of editor contacts, and I met a lot of writing friends as well, so I always point to conferences as the road to success. Several established authors helped me hone my skills or introduced me to editors or movers and shakers in the industry. If you want to get out of the slush pile, this is the way to go.

I hope to see some of my blog readers there! I'll do my best to show you the ropes.

My Readers Rock!

Perhaps the greatest blessing I receive as an author is the opportunity to hear from readers. They send me emails, letters, pictures, such as this great rockin' dragon sent by thirteen-year-old Sierra Reep, and even cookies. They tell me how much my books mean to them, and I am often overwhelmed by their testimonies. I have heard from kids who have become Christians because of my books, or are now walking closer to God, or have changed their minds about hurting others or themselves, even one teenager who changed her mind about committing suicide.

On more than one occasion a reader has arranged a Dragons in our Midst party and invited other readers to come. When I went to one of these parties in the Atlanta area, readers came from as far away as New Jersey and Louisiana to get together for one afternoon because of their love for my books. What an amazing blessing!

When I go on book tours, I often meet readers who become good friends with my children, and now we have close bonds. As I write this, two of my readers are in my home, having flown in from distant cities to spend time with our family. On one occasion, a couple of readers traveled great distances to help my family move from Orlando to Tennessee!

I hope never to take these amazing blessings for granted. My readers are more valuable than gold. That's why I reply to every email, every letter, and every author-directed post on my message forum, which amounts to hundreds and hundreds of personal pieces of correspondence. It can take several hours each week to get to all of them, but it's worth it.

Some kids ask me for counsel regarding very difficult, even tragic events in their life. They don't have anyone else to turn to. How could I ignore a single cry for help? As long as God gives me strength, that will never happen.

So, hats off to my readers! You rock! Without you, I could never be an author. Without you, I would have no reason to write at all. Even if my books sell so many copies that I become a celebrity, may God help me never to forget that as an author I am a servant, not a star.

Are you a Scrub Jay?

I'll never forget this hiking experience in one of Florida's scrub forests. We came upon a family of scrub jays. I had heard that, unlike most birds, they have very little fear of humans. That proved to be an understatement. Although we were out in the wild, they landed on our heads, hands, and shoulders, checking us out as though we were curiosities to be thoroughly examined.

I snapped this photo of my wife, Susie, with one of these beautiful birds perched on her hand. It remains as one of my favorite shots of all time, not only because both the lovely lady and the statuesque bird posed so nicely, it always reminds me of deeper truths.

Most flocks of birds will scatter when you approach, fearful that you will hurt them, though their fears are almost always unfounded. I, for one, would love to walk up to a bird and stroke its feathers and have it perch on my finger and sing a song. I have no desire to harm them. I only want to enjoy their beauty. But they fly away, ignorant of my desires to share the blessing of their presence.

I wonder if God feels the same way when people scatter whenever He wants to draw near. The Bible says that He seeks to be with us and rejoices over us, but some people fear His presence. They think He will punish them for wrongdoings. They are shivering sparrows who believe they are the next meal for an wrathful deity, so they fly away.

If a person is alienated from God, perhaps fear is justified. Perhaps wrath is to be expected. Yet, even some of those who have made peace with God through Jesus Christ are still afraid. They don't want to sit and sing songs of worship. They're still guilt-ridden or simply still accustomed to flying away.

Since I have been made a friend of God, I will never join the scattering birds. I am like a scrub jay. I want to fly to my Master's hand when I see Him walking down the lane, seeking to have fellowship with me. Even though my voice squawks like a scrub jay's, I will sit and sing my heart out anyway, because I have no fear of my Master, and I know He loves to hear my joyful noise, off-key or not.

Project Status

In case anyone wants to know how my book production schedule is going, here is an update.

I am busily writing Last of the Nephilim, book three in the Oracles of Fire series. I wrote about 65,000 words in December, which is good considering the holidays and a wedding anniversary made for a few non-writing days. I hope to finish the first draft by the end of January. The book is tentatively scheduled to come out in June, so once I get it done, AMG Publishers will put it on a fast track for editing and proof-reading.

I am also proof-reading the galley for Beyond the Reflection's Edge, the first Echoes from the Edge book. That should go quickly. It is scheduled to come out in May. I will soon get back first edits from the publisher for Eternity's Edge, the second book in that series, so that will add to my workload. Then I will write book three in that series, which is as yet untitled and is supposed to be finished by mid-July.

After that, I plan to write The Bones of Makaidos, book four in the Oracles of Fire series, which might be the last of the dragons books. We'll see.

I am thankful for so many opportunities to write, and I could well be making an announcement soon regarding more books. Keep watching this blog for further developments.

Parents - Tell the Truth!

After my post about Santa Claus, I have been more sensitive to parental truth issues. This morning, I read the following article on CNN.com - Click Here

Of course, I found it appalling. A mother helped her daughter win two highly coveted tickets by inventing a tragic event in order to gain sympathy. The following quote was very telling:

"We did the essay and that's what we did to win," Priscilla Ceballos, the mother, said in an interview with Dallas TV station KDFW. "We did whatever we could do to win."

It seems that the mother concocted the story that the girl's father was killed in Iraq, so they wrote about his death in the girl's essay, part of the procedure to win the tickets. Now the sponsor of the contest is "considering taking away the girl's tickets."

Of course they should take away the tickets. That's a no-brainer. But will they?

There was a day that hardly anyone would question that decision, but now the fact that they are only "considering" it reminds me of the hand-wringers out there who would wail about the girl's hurt feelings and her lost opportunity for fun, or that it was her mother's fault so the girl shouldn't be punished. What rubbish! If they let her go, they will forever imprint on the little girl's mind that the lie worked, and that she had the time of her life because of deceitfulness.

Did I mention that the girl is only six years old? I think the mother's lying amounts to child abuse. But, from what I can gather, the lying stands to reason. I have never seen the Hannah Montana show, and I likely never will, but isn't it about a girl who lives a double-life? Isn't she deceiving a lot of people as a plot device? I guess it's no wonder that some Hannah Montana fans have no problem with using deception. (Please don't post comments defending Hannah Montana. If they aren't relevant, I will probably delete them.)

On to another example. I was reading a book yesterday that gives parents advice regarding how to handle bad media influences. Part of it included interviews with parents asking how they instructed their children when they are at a friend's house and the friend suggests watching an inappropriate movie. One father said that he instructs his child to call him using a code phrase that lets him know the situation without the child having to tell him directly. Then he would go and pick up his child, telling the host family that he forgot about an important family issue, so the child would have to come home.

In other words, he would lie. And this was supposed to be a Christian father.

Why not say, "I'm taking my child home, because your child suggested watching a movie that we think is inappropriate. I don't want by child being exposed to influences like that. Yes, I know you can find an alternative, but the fact that your child would suggest this movie at all lets me know that my child shouldn't be over here."

Would I say that? If you doubt that I would, you don't know me very well. Would my child be embarrassed? Maybe. But he would never forget that his father tells the truth and protects his mind.

The father in the book I mentioned will teach his children that it's okay to lie as a way to avoid embarrassment, that it's fine to deceive in order to avoid watching a bad movie. Yet, this father would be filling his child's mind with something more dangerous than a video with some bad words or violence. He would plant in his mind a license to lie, and that will prove to be a far worse influence than the movie would have infused.

Do you ask someone to say you're not home in order to avoid a phone call? Do you call in sick when you're not? Do you tell someone you loved a Christmas gift when you didn't? These are all lies, and there is no good reason to tell them.

Parents, tell the truth. At the very least, say nothing. Just don't lie. Whether it's telling kids to believe in Santa Claus, or approving Hannah Montana's deceptions, or telling a "white lie" to avoid a difficult situation, you are not only corrupting yourselves, you are corrupting your children. They are watching, and they will learn to follow your lead.

******Added Section******

I'm adding to my post, because one anonymous commenter tried to defend the Hannah Montana show. I researched the show further, and it is certainly something I would never let my kids watch. I have read song lyrics. Some are unacceptable. I watched a couple of Youtube excerpts of the show and concerts. She shakes her hips and struts in sexually provocative ways. She kisses boys on the lips, is obsessed with romance, and wears immodest clothing. How old is she? 13? 14? What a horrible role model!

When I see little girls screaming for a glimpse of their heroine, or parents standing in line in freezing weather to snatch up a ticket, I can tell what's going on--glorification of stardom. Fame for fame's sake. Idol worship.

Why would parents allow kids to watch programs with harmful content like this? Do they want their girls to become sexually provocative, hip-shaking harlots? I don't get it.

Amazing Grace - The Movie

I watched the Amazing Grace movie with my family yesterday. That was a fun and meaningful way to spend our Christmas evening.

I enjoyed the portrayal of William Wilberforce. The actor and screenwriter captured the spirit of a man who could not let go of a godly obsession, or perhaps it would not let him go. I understand this spirit well. It is the same kind of passion that has guided and empowered me through the past twenty-five years of my life.

The knowledge that something is desperately wrong burns within. It must be voiced until that wrong is made right. It keeps a man awake at night weeping for those being destroyed be the wrong, not allowing him to enjoy any worldly pleasures while others suffer. It causes him to become a "fool" for Christ, acting and speaking in ways that most professing Christians don't understand. In his zeal to destroy the bastions of apathetic religion and powers-that-be, he carries the whip of Jesus and overturns the money-changers' tables and upsets the religious hypocrites of the day.

Yes, I know that spirit well, and I expect the enslavers of today who oppose what I am doing to become louder and more venomous as the days pass. Instead of sneering cries of "seditionist,"as William Wilberforce heard, I expect to hear more cries of "heretic" as I try to break the chains of those enslaved by the church doctrines of today, the falsehoods that keep believers bound in sin. May God help me as I teach Jesus words, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

Celebrating Oneness

I neglected to mention our annual celebration of wedded oneness yesterday. Our daughter had surgery to take the screws out of her knee, so we delayed our observance until today.

Susie and I have been married twenty-seven years now, and we want to publicly give thanks to God for giving us this life together. By His grace and power, we trust that the next twenty-seven years will be even better than the paradise we have already lived in.

Thank you, Susie, for being faithful, godly, loving, and sacrificial. You are a living expression of Christ on earth.

By the way, our daughter is doing fine. Surgery was successful, and full recovery is expected.

I Specialize in Turning Off

I have decided to accept my station in life, as well as the fact that others are born for a different task. I am a turner-offer. As I walk through my house, I always find many lights turned on with no one in the room, so I turn the lights off.

It is such a common practice now, I find that I'm surprised to see a light actually in the off state as I go by. I just naturally reach for the switch, so if it's already off, I have to stop myself before I accidentally turn it on. Please don't advise me to get a clapper. My family would think I've gone crazy walking around giving a standing ovation to an empty room.

What I couldn't understand is why all these lights would always be on. Why didn't everyone else turn lights off? Did gremlins break into the house? Did the switches spontaneously flip to the on position?

As I meditated on this, the answer finally dawned on me. When I turn of a light, the very act brings me pleasure. I have done a good thing. I have saved money. I have singlehandedly rescued our fragile environment. I'm a hero!

That means, I assume, that my wonderful children have graciously gone around and turned lights on in order to make me feel good. They have noticed that I'm in a great mood after turning a light off, in spite of my never-ending question, "Who left this light on?" Since I always end up with a smile, they probably thought the question was asked so that I could thank whoever left it on. But since my kids are so humble, they would never volunteer the information. Far be it from them to seek a reward for their kind and noble acts.

After all this soul-searching, I now realize that there are turner-onner people running around doing kind deeds for the turner-offer in the house. We turner-offers need turner-onners in order to make us happy, fulfilled, and content. In my mind, instead of being an annoyance, they are now people to whom I am indebted.

So, I hereby thank you turner-onners. You turn me on!

Christmas Peace

Ever since we as a family stepped out of the mad holiday rush, we have been able to watch the game from the sidelines. It's a lot more entertaining from the bleachers than down in the scrum.

No presents. No Santa. No tree. No decorations. Not even a can of Who Hash. And I don't miss it, not even a tinsel of a bit.

We don't have to fight the crowds at the shopping malls, worry about what we're going to get for Aunt What's-her-name, find just the right tree, fuss over how presents are opened, make sure everyone poses for the camera, clean up the mess, etc, etc.

On Christmas morning, we awake without an alarm, having rested well after suffering no last-minute-preparation anxieties. While the kids roll out of bed, we make cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate and serve them piping hot. With everyone gathered around, maybe with a fire crackling, we read Luke chapter two and talk about the coming of Jesus, our Savior.

No one is sad about not getting that special gift, because no one expected anything. Every child is warm, filled, and happy, even without the latest XBox game, the newest IPod, or the right label on their sweatshirts or the back pockets of their jeans. They have everything they need.

Call me a Scrooge or a Grinch, but we love it this way. And don't tell me that I'm missing out on the fun, because I understand the Christmas game very well. After all, I played it for years. I even carved the roast beast.

But now that I'm sitting back with my mug of hot chocolate, I'll just watch everyone else go crazy. The view is very interesting here on the sidelines. The madness is ... well ... enlightening.

Now if I can just find a radio station that plays something other than "Jingle Bell Rock"!

A Gift for your Husband or Father

With Christmas coming, what do you get for that special man on your list? If he doesn't absolutely despise reading, may I offer a suggestion? If he is a dad, yours or someone else's, maybe he would like my book The Image of a Father. I don't talk about my men's books very much, but I'm going to try to highlight them a bit more. This is my first book, and it comes from my heart as a father of seven children. I look at twelve of God's fathering attributes and how men can reflect those attributes for their children. That way they can see God the Father through their own father. And it's not just for me. I have had many women say that this book helped them to see God as Father for the first time or perhaps see Him more clearly than ever before.

A great way to give this book is to say, "This book reminds me of you and what a great father you are." That way, the man in your life won't think you're giving him the book because he needs help.

My other men's book is called Spit and Polish for Husbands. I think it's important for men to treat their wives like treasures, and this book gives practical tips, sometimes in a humorous way, as well as the spiritual reasons for being a knight in shining armor. Many men have told me that this book has radically changed their lives, and their wives are ecstatic with the changes. As before, a great way to give this book is to say something like, "This book makes me think of you, my knight in shining armor."

I believe that all men can be everything God wants them to be--virtuous heroes for their wives and children. These books will inspire and motivate. They will tell Christian men that they are saints, holy warriors for truth and righteousness, and they are gentlemen who are tender with their lambs.

If you're interested in getting an autographed copy, here is a link for my ordering page: Click Here

Or you can order on Amazon at these links: The Image of a Father or Spit and Polish

An Amazing Review of Enoch's Ghost!

Today I saw a review of Enoch's Ghost on TitleTrakk.com that truly blew me away. I was so overwhelmed, words cannot describe the feeling.

Here is one excerpt that gave me chills (good ones!):

Bryan Davis is on par with fantasy greats J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. In some ways, I think he goes beyond these prolific writers when he blends legendary literature and world history.

Then this conclusion:

On a literary level, Enoch’s Ghost along with the other installments, includes enough literary elements to make devout English teachers drool all over themselves. As a teacher by profession, I believe entire curriculums can be constructed around this comprehensive tale. For those interested, Davis’s website does have a link for teachers on how to incorporate his fiction in the classroom.

Parents, just go out and buy the whole lot. Harry Potter doesn’t stand a chance against Dragons and Oracles. Not only is the writing and construction superior, the lessons and values are fully in line with the Bible. As a parent, this is a series of books I want my son to read over and over again.

I am so thankful for this amazing review. It comes at a time when I am in the middle of writing the sequel to this very book. What a way to stoke my creative fire!

To see the entire review, Click here and then thank the Lord with me for how He is working through these books.

The Day Santa Claus Died

Do you remember when Santa Claus died? For many of us, the tragic day when we learned that Santa Claus wasn't real was a day of deep wounds. Innocence was lost. Trust was shattered. Everything our parents told us later forever became suspect.

Those of you who have read my book The Image of a Father know that I advise parents not to teach their children to believe that Santa Claus will visit on Christmas and give them presents. The simple reason is that it's a lie, and any lie can create a shadow of distrust that will hurt your credibility. If you are willing to lie about this, what else are you lying about? Why should they ever believe you again?

I would like to support that teaching with anecdotes. Did your parents tell you that Santa Claus was real? If so, when you learned the truth, did it hurt you emotionally? Did it harm your trust in your parents? If you have a story like that, please post it or send me an email. Thank you.

Eternity's Edge is Finished!

I finished writing the second Echoes from the Edge book, Eternity's Edge, and turned it into Zondervan. It's a great relief to have it done. I am very excited about this story. It could be the most emotionally charged story I have ever written, and I think it could very well stir some controversy, unless, of course, the controversy gets edited out along the way.

I will urge Zondervan to make it clear that the story is designed for readers thirteen years and older.

I have heard that the cover for this book will be ready soon. I will post it here when that happens.

Eternity's Edge is scheduled to arrive in late 2008, maybe November.

Now, I will begin work on Last of the Nephilim, book 3 in the Oracles of Fire series. Please pray for me. My time to write this is very short, and I want to write the best book ever.

Tour Photos

Now that I have a few minutes to upload a few photos, I can show you what I've been doing.

The photo to the left shows me speaking to the students at MEI Middle School in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The four hundred or so students were a polite, attentive group, and they gave me an enthusiastic welcome. I talked about how God has guided me through my author's journey, and I gave them good reasons to believe that reading Christian fantasy is an excellent way to grow closer to God. I told my "dime and two pennies" story, and that seemed to make quite an impression. (I told that story in an earlier blog entry.)

In the photo to the right, I am speaking to the fifth graders at MEI Elementary School. They also proved to be a great group of kids. It seems that the younger the students are, the more willing they are to ask questions, so we had a great Q&A time.

Finally, in the photo to the left, I have a chance to rest for a moment as we are setting up for a signing at the Angel Christian Supply store in Surrey, B.C. We had a nice turnout, and the proprietor, a lady named Marlene, was a great host. I am thankful for the bookstore managers who have helped me so much during this tour.

Tomorrow, I have a signing at the House of James bookstore in Abbotsford, then I begin my journey home. Thank you everyone who has been praying for us!

Northwest Book Tour winding down

So why haven't I posted many updates during this book tour? Because the schedule has been insane.

Monday included a homeschool group, a bookstore signing, a long drive out to Poulsbo, a banquet speech with a writers' group, and a drive back to the motel.

On Tuesday, I spoke at a school's chapel service, then stayed to speak five more times to various classes. When that was over, I promptly drove to Sequim, which took well over three hours, and spoke for two and a half hours to a homeschool group. Then, I had to drive three hours back to my motel.

On Wednesday, I did a 4.5 hour seminar with a homeschool group, drove to North Bend to pick up my daughter, then drove to Canada.

Thursday included a one-hour talk to the entire MEI Middle School, then four writing workshops for various grade levels. When I got back to my motel, I collapsed on the bed and slept until morning.

Now it's Friday, and I have it pretty easy today. I speak to the MEI Elementary School this morning and drive to Surrey for a bookstore signing this afternoon. Saturday will include breakfast with fans at House of James bookstore in Abbotsford and a signing afterward. Then I will drive back to the Seattle area, spend the night with friends, and fly home on Sunday.

I appreciate your prayers. I have a sore throat, and I'm losing my voice. Please pray that I will endure and speak effectively. May God use me to reach many more young people with the love of Christ.

Spokane Appearances

My time in Spokane has been great. I visited two public schools--Salk Middle School and Shaw Middle School--and one private school--Northwest Christian Elementary School. I spoke to five groups of students at Salk and then a parents' group in the evening. We had about eighty show up for the evening sessions, which was fantastic.

The feedback was phenomenal. I heard from a teacher that one parent was so moved by my appeal for positive fantasy for children, she was in tears (in a good way). Apparently many parents gained a new perspective. I'm very happy with the results.

The bookstore appearances went very well, too. I sold about sixty books at the Christian Supply Store, so that's really good.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Seattle. Please pray for a safe journey, good health, and positive results.

Northwest Book Tour Travel Day

I am sitting at the Nashville, TN, airport waiting to take off to the state of Washington for my ten-day book tour. I will be traveling all day, and I will begin my tour tomorrow. I hope to keep my blog up to date with stories from my school, homeschool group, and bookstore appearances.

Stay tuned!

Change to Schedule in Washington

I posted that I had a book signing scheduled in Federal Way, WA, on November 13. That was moved to Monday, November 12, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Here are the details.

November 12 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Family Christian Store
31835 Pacific Highway South
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 839-3920

Preparing for a journey to the Northwest

I will be in Spokane and in the Seattle area in November, so the weather here in western Tennessee has been perfect for training. Today is our fourth consecutive day of rain, wind, and cold. I know Seattle veterans are probably saying, "Only four?" but I have to get used to it a little at a time. Last year when I visited Seattle it rained for ten consecutive days, so I have felt your pain.

Below is my schedule for that visit so far. I hope my readers in the Northwest will make plans to come out and see me. I would love to meet you and sign any books you would want signed. I might add a couple of appearances, so keep an eye on my online schedule at this link.

There are still a few openings in my schedule in the Northwest, so if you want me to visit your school or group, please let me know as soon as possible.

November 8 - All day

Salk Middle School

6411 N Alberta St
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 354-5600

November 9 - 9:30 am to 10:30 am

Northwest Christian Elementary School

1412 W. Central Ave

Spokane, WA 99205

(509) 328-4400

November 9 - 12:30 pm to 2:45 pm

Shaw Middle School

4106 N Cook St
Spokane, WA 99207
(509) 354-5800

November 9 - 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Book Signing

Christian Supply Store

9310 N. Division

Spokane, WA 99218

(509) 487-6942

November 10 - 11:00 am to 1:30 pm

Book Signing

Barnes & Noble

Market Pointe I Shopping Center
15310 E. Indiana Ave.
Spokane, WA 99216
509-922-4104

November 12 - 10:30 to 12 noon

Homeschool Class

Lighthouse Christian Center

10711 80th Ave. East

Pulayllup, WA 98373

November 12 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Family Christian Store

31835 Pacific Highway South

Federal Way, WA 98003

(253) 839-3920

November 13 - 9:00 am to 9:45 am

Chapel Speaker

The Bear Creek School
8905 208th Avenue NE
Redmond, WA 98053

November 13 - 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Homeschool Group meeting

Faith Baptist Church

7652 Old Olympic Highway

Sequim, WA

November 14 - 10:00 am to 3:30 pm

Homeschool group classes

Lighthouse Christian Center

10711 80th Ave. East

Pulayllup, WA 98373

November 15 and 16 All day

M.E.I. Middle School

4081B Clearbrook Rd.

Abbotsford, B.C.

V4X 2M8

November 17 - 8:00 am to 10:00 am

House of James Bookstore

2743 Emerson Street
Abbotsford BC V2T 4H8

New Christian Online Store

I'd like to highlight a new Christian web store called "All Things Christian." It's more than a store; it's a ministry. You will find it by clicking here.

Here is a quote from their website:

First and foremost, we donate 25% of our profits back to the Christian Community! Ministries like Focus on the Family, Campus Crusade, Compassion International, World Vision, and many more, are benefiting through your purchases. This is not your run of the mill Christian bookstore. Not only do we sell the usual stock of Christian Books, Music, Gifts, Movies, Bibles, and Church Resources, but we want to be here for you. We offer parent resources and websites for parents. We direct you to wonderful links for bible study and online bible lookups. We also want to offer pray and support to you. You can request prayer that will stay anonymous, or you can request to have it posted to our site so that all visitors can come together and pray. Nothing beats the power of prayer.

The store was also kind enough to set up a page just for my books. It looks great. Click Here.

If you want to support a store that isn't there just for profit, try them out.

Harry Potter removes his mask

I have criticized the Harry Potter series many times, and in my efforts, I sometimes felt alone among authors of my genre. I am hoping that after J. K. Rowling's recent revelation, my lonely voice among Christian fantasy authors will change.

It seems that Ms. Rowling has publicly revealed her true intent, to promote acceptance of homosexuality and to encourage rebellious attitudes. I knew of the second intent long ago, but the promotion of homosexuality came as a mild surprise.

Here is an article from cnn.com: Click Here

"Dumbledore is gay," the author responded to gasps and applause.

So, the only wise authority figure in the story has a sinful sexual orientation, and Rowling is proud of this fact. It comes as no surprise that Ms. Rowling's admirers would applaud this revelation. Such is the unbiblical world view of this author and many of her fans.

Here is another interesting excerpt:

Rowling, finishing a brief "Open Book Tour" of the United States, her first tour here since 2000, also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance' and urged her fans to "question authority."

It seems that she admits to using these books to promote acceptance of what most Christians would consider a sinful deviation God's design, as well as an attitude that would be suspicious of authority. Now no one can argue that she didn't have this intent.

One more excerpt:

Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.

And rightly so. This announcement should give Christians reason not to like her work. Her motivations are directly opposed to the biblical truth that homosexuality is an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22) and that fostering rebellious attitudes is akin to causing little ones to stumble, an extremely dangerous offense.

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6)

I hope this revelation puts a nail in the HP coffin, and I pray that Christians who support Ms. Rowling's harmful material will finally see the light. I might get flamed for posting this opinion and for slamming another author, but highlighting the intent behind these books, and the fact that they are a dangerous influence in our culture, is a responsibility I can't ignore.
*****
Since I first posted this, I have received a couple of critical comments. Because of one of these comments, a heart-felt plea for compassion, I have edited this post in order to choose words that are less likely to be misunderstood.

I'm also adding some thoughts from my response to that comment, because it would be wrong for me to overlook the commenter's plea. His sincerity was touching and deserves much more than a passing glance. (For the rest of my response, see the comments section.)

Disapproval of homosexuality doesn’t equate to hatred. I don’t hate anyone who claims a homosexual orientation. What I believe about it is grounded in Scripture, and I don’t believe God creates anyone that way. Such a belief should not lead anyone to think that I have any hatred or lack compassion.

True compassion involves helping someone out of a problem, not saying it’s okay to be there. It is showing someone the way out of sin, not making someone feel comfortable in it. Ms. Rowling wants people to be comfortable with homosexuality. I want people to leave it behind and find true freedom in Christ. That's what real compassion is all about.

Last of the Nephilim Cover

I thought you might want to get a look at the next Oracles of Fire book cover. It's called Last of the Nephilim, and it should be out in the spring of 2008, the Lord willing. For a larger image, click here.

If readers of Enoch's Ghost would like to guess who the two girls on the cover are, go ahead and post your guess. No fair posting the answer if I have already told you or you learned it through my message forum.

If you are so inclined, please pray for me as I write. I have a lot of work to do, and, it seems, not enough time to do it. God has always strengthened me in the past, and I trust that He will do so again, but I would appreciate prayer from God's faithful.

Thank you for praying for my daughter

Many of you know that my daughter Amanda fell from her horse on September 2 and broke her femur. She is now walking short distances without her crutches. Although she still has pain, especially in her knee, her recovery has been remarkably fast.

We are thankful to God for this progress, and I thank all of you who have prayed for her.

God is good, all the time.

Florida Christian Writers' Conference: Teens & Scholarships

It's not too early to plan for the 2008 Florida Christian Writers' Conference. I will be teaching the Teen Track, so I hope many of my readers who also enjoy writing will want to come to the conference.

Here is the website: Click Here

There are scholarships available for teenagers. Please see this link for more information.

We are not setting a specific due date for applications but will begin awarding scholarships immediately based on application essays and need. Once the scholarships are awarded, we will stop accepting applications. Please send application essays and contact information to me at flwriters@dragonsinourmidst.com

New Book Cover

Here is a first look at Beyond the Reflection's Edge, book #1 in my new series, Echoes from the Edge. It is unrelated to my other books, but it is a contemporary fantasy/mystery blend for the same age group.

The basic plot: Nathan Shepherd, sixteen years old, loses his parents as the result of a double murder. In order to be safe from the murderers, Nathan goes to live with a new family, his father’s old college buddy and his teenage daughter, Kelly.

A strange mirror in Nathan’s bedroom sometimes shows images that aren’t in front of it, including past events, unfamiliar scenes, and people who are supposed to be dead. Nathan obtains his mother’s violin, which plays beautiful music along with voices that only Kelly can hear. Nathan also inherits his father’s camera, which takes photos of people and places that aren’t there ... or at least they don't seem to be there.

These odd devices launch Nathan and Kelly on an exciting journey through multiple dimensions as they track down the mysteries surrounding the deaths of Nathan’s parents. They soon learn that the cosmic fabric that separates the dimensions is crumbling, leading to a potential catastrophic event called interfinity. As they try to prevent this end-of-the-worlds disaster, their own efforts add to the interdimensional deterioration, forcing them to make one life-and-death choice after another.

I'm very excited about this series. Pre-publication readers are giving me great reviews. Look for it to come out in May of 2008. I will give updates on my blog and newsletter as the time gets closer.

Progress Update

I am working on the second book of the Echoes from the Edge series. I passed the 40,000 word mark, so it is definitely in high gear now. I expect to finish it by the end of October.

I will begin working on Last of the Nephilim immediately afterwards. That one should go very quickly.

Post Deleted

Dallas and Longview, Texas, area Appearances

I will be in Texas later this week, specifically in Longview and Dallas. My schedule is below. If you live in the area and have time to come out and see me, I would love to meet you.

September 20 - 1:30 to 5:00 pm

Homeschool Group

Letourneau University

Education Building - Room 120

2100 South Mobberly

Longview, TX

September 21 - 1:30 to 2:30 pm

Speaking to combined literature classes

LeTourneau University

2100 South Mobberly

Longview, TX

September 22 - 12 noon to 2:00 pm

Mardel Christian Store

2300 Coit Road, Ste. 100

Plano, TX

September 22 - 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Mardel Christian Store

3714 Lavon Drive

Garland, TX

My daughter is home

After falling off her horse and breaking her femur, my daughter Amanda (known to some of you as Legossi) had surgery to insert a rod through her bone. Because of this, she will not have a cast, but the rod will stay in her thigh for the rest of her life.

She is now recovering at home. She is able to get around on crutches for short distances and is still in considerable pain. We appreciate your continued prayers.

Prayer for my daughter Amanda

My 16-year-old daughter, Amanda, fell off her horse yesterday and broke her femur. She had has two surgical procedures to repair it. She now has a hard road of therapy ahead.

I would appreciate it if you would pray for her recovery.

What about Billy and Bonnie?

I have been flooded with e-mails and message forum posts asking what happened to Billy and Bonnie, the two main characters from the Dragons in our Midst (DIOM) series. Apparently many readers expected to learn of their fate in Enoch's Ghost, the sequel to DIOM.

Enoch's Ghost is part of a new series, so it has new main characters. Billy and Bonnie are mentioned in the book, but other characters take center stage. Some readers weren't expecting that, so they were confused and/or disappointed.

Don't worry. I'm planning on bringing Billy and Bonnie back, but readers will have to be patient a little while longer. My next book, Last of the Nephilim, will continue to feature the new characters, but in the fourth book, The Bones of Makaidos, if all goes according to plan, Billy and Bonnie will return and play crucial roles in the story.

Please spread this news to other readers. I'm sure they'll be happy to hear it.