Author Archives: sherryrossman

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About sherryrossman

I'm a tea-loving momma who loves to write. And when I say write, I mean exploring the things of life we get tastes of in dreams, in the things that go bump in the night, and those that hover at the corners of our eyes. No matter what they are or aren't I believe God holds all these things in His hands.

What we can learn from Batman

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Our Easter began with a service by Watson Lake and ended with Batman vs. Superman. The first was beautiful and peaceful–the breeze and sun couldn’t have 20150803_092538been more lovely. On a perfectly placed current soared a bald eagle which was a special treat for my son who had recently asked when he would see one again.

The second half of our day was exciting–a few hours of grown up time is a rare gift, especially when it’s a movie with an edge to it. Lecture me not, because I’m okay with a little violence and fantasy. It actually got me thinking about the whole spectrum of superhero fandom. Why do we get so excited about characters dripping in unreality? Why do we embrace these stories soaked in red capes and heroes that can fly? Our culture can’t get enough–we arrange babysitters for our kids so we can get away to watch grown-up movies which, in reality, are childlike stories.

So what really comes with Easter and Batman?

This is where Christians fail to be like kids (don’t laugh–it’s an order from God Himself: “And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3)
It’s not good to be afraid of fantasy (what is it, really?). It’s not okay to put ideas of God in a box over here, away from the exciting stuff that happens over there. Do you remember what happened after the Resurrection?

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4

What else happened after the crucifixion?

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[a] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” Matthew 27:51-53

This is the kind of stuff we put over there, in fantasy, but it’s not. It’s reality friends (okay, except Batman, but it’s a good movie). That supernatural world we crave is here!

Maybe God sent the eagle over our Easter celebration because a child approached life with the perspective God wants us to have. Who knows? Maybe we’d see more of God’s superpowers if we didn’t write things off as coincidence. Maybe we’ve forgotten who God is and who we are.

 

What do you think?

 

Read Your Way to Success

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Many youth I know can spin an argument like a flower without a root. That’s right. They can talk pretty, waft attractive opinions around the room and philosophize like their point is so natural, but when you dig to the bottom of their argument, there’s often nothing feeding it. Nothing in which to give it life. It’s an idea just waiting to wilt.

Many schools have adopted the following as a way to teach children to write: Argumentative (most important), Informative (a close second) and way at the end of the line…Narrative. Now at first glance, this makes sense. I hope my kids are required to debate at least once in their education. I hope they learn how to back up their opinions and make sure they have facts on their side. I hope they know how to research a topic well, and how to educate themselves in and out of the classroom.

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But can you find the whole story within arguments and encyclopedic-style information? My kids are already experts in the art of arguing. They will bring up every angle possible—gather up all the facts they know—and present their cases to me as if lawyers themselves. Honestly, it’s a close cousin to manipulation which is why we don’t allow them to get their way by arguing.

But when confronted with narratives—real life stories, or even fictional stories, kids learn the importance of roots: right and wrong, perseverance, inspiration (To Kill a Mockingbird and The Indian in the Cupboard to name a few).

When goodness sprouts despite the worlds darkness, there must be a root somewhere. Many of us call it God, which may be why institutions that don’t allow that kind of talk adhere to argument.

Please don’t misunderstand me here–my kids go to a great school and have great teachers, but there is always a hiccup, no matter where the classroom is. When studying the plain old facts, my daughter not only has trouble retaining them, but the purpose of learning gets lost on her. “Why should I care about it?”

Then on library day she finds a book about a Jewish girl who lived through World War II—the hatred and anguish that filled this time. Chloe couldn’t stop telling me about. She deeply felt the plight of this girl.

With narrative, people move beyond the argument to action—the kind born from people who really care (and can remember why they should).

May the world be full of bookworms.

Rest

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Last week was Spring Break and it was anything but restful. Of all the weeks to be pressed to work a little harder to meet deadlines, it had to be the week my kids were free from their own. Exhausted before I had finished, I packed my kids in the car and we headed to my mom’s place where WiFi doesn’t exist and acres of land spread before us. My kids ran like rabbits on sugar and I pulled a chair under the sun to soak up some light.

It was a nice beak, but not quite enough. We headed back home and I dug into work again. While preparing for my writers group, I found an old blog that showed me what I had been missing.

It wasn’t the blog itself, but the photos. This is one of our trees. Resting.

100_2663Wintertime is when creation pulls in its blooms for a nap. The creatures nestle inside their burrows, even the colors fade into sleep until spring.

When the land has rested, it blooms again. It doesn’t run itself ragged like we do, feeling guilt from the smallest of breaks. It’s so easy to go and go until we burn out and then go some more.

Creation goes until its flame is the most beautiful. And then it rests a while.

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By the time it’s ready to go again, it lacks nothing. Its even able to give shade to those who may need it.

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And it becomes so renewed, it reflects the joy of others that surround it.

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 Pouring your best work into the world requires seasons of rest. Have a blessed week.

 

A Renaissance Life

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The past few weeks have been about introducing our kids to culture at its best.

First, while Noah recovered from Pneumonia, I took Chloe to a few art galleries in downtown Prescott. We saw a lot of beautiful work, but we had two things to add to our Awesome List.

1. Years ago, we added to our personal art collection a print of an old man in the desert, holding a cat. Something about it just caught me when I bought it–well, we got to meet the artist, and tell him how much we’ve enjoyed his bit of story on our wall. Even though art is a career, it’s also personal; brave. So complimenting an artist on their work is to thank them for sharing part of their life with us.

2. Chloe discovered a whole new world when she saw a horse sculpture welded together from springs, knives, and various scraps of metal. Together, these bits and pieces made a breathtaking piece of art. It was a good reminder that we can take whatever we’re allotted in life and make something beautiful from it.20160227_134546

After Noah recovered enough to get out, we went to the Renaissance Festival. We basked in a day of mermaids, knights, and turkey legs. Besides watching my kid’s delighted faces, my favorite part was when an old man–had to be in his eighties–shuffled by us with his walker–and brand new set of elf ears.

Now that’s a man who has learned how to enjoy his life.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend too. I’ll see you next Monday!

The Border of Courage

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There was a girl in my high school who attended parties in the name of guard duty. She would watch over her bestie in case a guy tried to take advantage of her after consuming too much alcohol, or something.

She was ever glossed in cherry pink lips, charming, flirtatious. Churched.

At the time, I thought those girls were weak. Stupid. The one girl for knowingly (continuously) putting herself in dangerous situations—the other for trying to fit in with the crowd in the name of protection.

What a bad example, I thought, discussing life with my friends under shade of tree and good reputation. She’s certainly crossed the line from Christian to20160214_132506 compromise.

My own faith walk looked a lot different—for different reasons—but now that I’ve walked a little farther and read and re-read about Jesus’ life, I get it. Living in comfort is safe, but that’s all.

Jesus crossed the boundaries all the time. He never joined people in their sin, but he still joined the people. The religious of the day had set up boundaries—cross a certain line and your reputation will be ruined. Jesus didn’t even glance at those lines. He dined with tax collectors and sinners. On their own turf, Jesus shared His love knowing it would ruin his reputation with the religious elite.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” Luke 19:5-7.

Did they ever once consider Zacchaeus?

Now, I don’t know what went on at those parties with the two friends—I didn’t bother to cross that line—but now I know better than to assume the watchdog of the two had bad intentions. And as for the girl who drank too much and somethinged—she’s exactly the kind of people Jesus would have made his friend. Or perhaps she just needed a reminder of her worth.

Anyway, I guess I write this because I recognize a dangerous trend. Not everyone will be called to cross the boundary lines, but the ones that do don’t need fellow believers (of all people) to assume the worst. We all know how that went down for Jesus. He succeeded in His mission, but not without enduring extreme pain from those who should have known better.

Consider what God calls you to do. You don’t need to be safe if He’s with you. You don’t need the opinion’s of the crowd. You just need a brave set of feet.

Sleep and Wake

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My daughter’s blanky is a “she.” After receiving countless blankets as baby gifts, we found purple blanky when none of the others were the right size for swaddling. The others were either too big or not long enough to tuck Chloe into a snugly burrito—the only thing that soothed her during the colicky months.

As Chloe grew into a toddler, purple blanky had to be turned fuzzy side down for her to sleep. When she outgrew “her,” Chloe would wad her up like a baby and hold her as she slept. On the darker nights, nights when the boogey man still exists, she still needs purple blanky to hide under. In fact, I often find her asleep with purple blanky spread across her torso like she’s sleeping underneath a hanky. But just the same, purple blanky is always there. As I write this, purple blanky drapes across Chloe’s waist as she struggles through a tummy bug.

The grown-up blanky is a “He.” We can’t really wad Him up, or lay Him fuzzy side down, but we can’t outgrow Him. When our nights are darker than normal, He covers us entirely, fears and all.

When the monsters my kids don’t know about yet try to convince me that He isn’t real, or that He can’t cover me in protection, I just pull Him closer and rest under His strength. He fits me, no matter what size or what season I’m in.

Too often, we forget we are always covered in God’s love, no matter what. Go into this Monday with courage. He’s got you covered.

This moment, I’m clutching Him tight, wondering how people will receive my newest book. Today is launch day for Wake.

If you would be interested in a review copy, let me know at srossbooks@gmail.com. It’s already approved by Readers’ Favorite.

Amazon.

 

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Never Mind the Haters

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Good Monday, friends. In actuality, I’m on Garfield’s team when it comes to Mondays, but I have to note three Awesome things about this day:

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But she loves her kids

1. I get three hours to myself.
2. The sun is out.
3. While walking this morning, my dog did not try assassinating any other dogs.

Finally, I have a giant stack of books on my bedside table. This makes me immensely happy. But, If you’re an avid book reader like me, you’ve probably experienced criticism from reading-deprived persons. You’ve probably been laughed at, called a nerd, accused of being lazy and all sorts of unpleasant comments/treatment, but as we know, books change the world (for a list of some examples, go here).
Story is powerful–Jesus told stories that rocked the world, so there you go, the ultimate authority has, forevermore, made books awesome. And not nerdy.

If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know that I don’t believe in perpetually staying within the lines. Oh yes, me and my crayons explore the world of color inside and outside of “the rules.”

Do you want to know the truth? Why not? Telling the truth is biblical, right? I don’t have an agent to reign me in, so here it is: I don’t like having to market my books. I love writing, I love people, I love blogging and readers and interacting with readers, but I don’t like following the endless list of do’s and don’ts of marketing. To tell you the truth (and I know of some other authors who agree with me), it feels like self-worship. I don’t worship me. They say don’t make homemade book trailers, in fact, book trailers don’t sell books. Like, at all. But you know what? I’m visual. I like book trailers, and I know from experience that they don’t sell books, but I make them anyway because I like the process and winging around ideas in abstract, maybe even absurd ways. So maybe I wasted several hours making one…but I made one anyway. It’s fun and I enjoyed it.

Watch this (if you want to) without a shred of pressure. And tell us how you break the rules. Tell me I’m not swimming alone out here with my crayons and camera. =)

GO HERE.

The Dark Side of Editing

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Good editing is key to a polished book, but on occasion, a manuscript can be edited so much that it loses the intended message. When the focus shifts from story to higher sales, it becomes nothing more than another product. Many products built on the root of greed saturate our lives.

As my husband explained to our kids why today is a celebration, not just another day off school, he emphasized that Martin Luther King Jr. got his inspiration from God—another thing edited out by most schools. Our history is being reshaped into a product line of lies–it’s important to us that our kids know the true story.

Like so many things, the truth of God has been edited and rewritten to produce false ideas that saturate our culture. Christianity, aka the gospel movement, has been labeled a hate group. And although Jesus instructs us to love one another, His message has been largely misinterpreted by a world doused in half-truths. A world that hasn’t sat down to read His entire book. Even many believers don’t take the time to read His whole story, and in ignorance, state that we must all change along with society. God, knowing where the direction of our culture would go prepared an answer in advance:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Now, usually the response to this would be something about the Bible being edited by countless generations,  but we forget one thing: God is always prepared. If God is really God, He will find a way to preserve His word. He even gives us a guarantee:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…2 Timothy 3:16. Here’s an article that goes into more detail.

What do you think readers? What is it that makes you trust your sources?

 

Christmas Love

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My Grandparents had a simple little house, with sparse decoration and healthy accents of clutter. I think Grandma must have grown up with too little, because she often washed our clothes as soon as we stepped in the door as if they were our only outfits. We hung out in my Grandpa’s t-shirts until the house smelled of downy softness, and our clothes were ready for another day of play. That’s what we did mostly—ran around their expansive yard all day. That is where their wealth was. In the roses that smelled better than any perfume, on the swing placed in the shade of a giant cottonwood tree, and in the rows of vegetables—I can still taste those homegrown tomatoes, spilling down my chin and sliding into my stomach, forever spoiling me for garden freshness.

When we came inside for lunch, we were usually served something like ramen noodles. I thought it was the best meal ever. We ate over a basic laminate table, next to the glass doors where we could see their beautiful yard. There were usually a few piles of mail and Parade magazines strewn about the living room. I can’t pick up a newspaper today without thinking of those piles with the summer light washing them in home-style glory.20151221_084236

Mostly what I remember is the smell of laundry detergent and a whole lotta love. There was never a house redecoration, or new clothes for my grandparents—no brand names haunted them—only ghosts of the Great Depression dressed as frugality. Although they could have lived a little richer, Their values were of family and the spirit of God. No matter what I did, what I said or didn’t say, I always knew I was good enough for my grandparents.

This is the spirit of Christmas. It’s a reflection of Love coming into a dark world haunted by the things that hurt and the things that hide in piles not dealt with. But there’s a light coming in, washing all of us in home-style glory, because no matter how broken we are, no matter how much we mess up, there’s a Savior loving us anyway.