But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. ~ John 5:36-38 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus is Your Son and my Savior, and I believe that You are the Sovereign Lord of the Universe. Thank You for sending Jesus to take away my sins and the sins of the whole world. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Aggie has asked me to be a judge, and I’m looking forward to reading lots of creative entries. There are Professional and Amateur categories, so whether you’re a beginning or seasoned writer, you can enter.

Visit the contest page for complete rules and a list of prizes. You can win some great books and exposure on a number of Web sites/blogs. Each judge will tell you what she liked best about your entry and what she thought could be improved, valuable feedback for any writer.

You have two weeks to write and polish your entry. I am eager to read your story.

Added 3/18/10 in response to a comment: The contest is open to writers, both amateur and professional, anywhere in the world.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. ~ John 5:25-29 (ESV)

Almighty God, thank You for giving Jesus the power to resurrect into eternal life all those who follow Him. Guide me to follow His footsteps and carry out His will. In His name I pray. Amen.

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. ~ John 5:5-16 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, lead me to always focus on serving Your people and spreading Your love and Your Word, not on following rules. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

An Axe to Grind

Oak Tree Press
January 2010
Paperback, 178 pages, $12.95

Also available in Kindle edition

Crime fiction

This is the first book I’ve read in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, but after reading An Axe to Grind, I intend to read the rest of the series. I want to know what happened to bring the characters to where they are now. Though Rocky Bluff is a fictional location, the town and the people seem very real.

If you like to read while you’re eating, as I do, you might want to avoid starting this book at meal time. The first scene—when the police are investigating the crime scene with a decapitated body and massive amounts of blood—is  pretty gory. However, that’s the only part of the book that will make your stomach a little queasy.

The main storyline involves the investigation and solution of the crime, but the relationships of the police officers and their personal lives are interwoven into the mystery. Readers who enjoy relationship stories will enjoy An Axe to Grind as much as lovers of crime fiction.

Detective Doug Milligan and fiancee and fellow police officer Stacey Wilbur are so wrapped up in their respective cases—his the murder of a stalker and hers a molestation case involving the son of a friend—that they don’t have time to plan their wedding. When Doug disappears while trailing a suspect, Stacey goes looking for him, and finding time to plan a wedding pales in comparison to finding Doug in time to save his life.

Author F.M. Meredith is currently on a blog book tour for An Axe to Grind. I recommend you check out the other stops of the tour for interviews and excerpts.

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Bio of F. M. Meredith

F. M. Meredith, who also writes under the name Marilyn Meredith, is the author of nearly thirty published novels. An Axe to Grind is the newest from Oak Tree Press. No Sanctuary was a finalist the mystery/suspense category of the Epic best in e-books contest.

Marilyn has taught writing and is active in industry organizations. For over twenty years, she lived in a beach community similar to Rocky Bluff.

You can visit the author at Fiction for You and on her blog.