MEETING MY MAKER

[The picture at the bottom of this blog post (NOT the "hair" picture) is a painting depicting a Seraph. It was the picture I felt would most resemble Christ as He's described in Revelation (only without the wings and with more clothes). Of course, we'll never know what He really looks like until we meet Him in Heaven.]

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like when we finally meet Jesus? I have. It's times like now that it's quite fresh in my mind. You see, I just got out of the shower, and I tend to lose a lot of hair when I'm in there. I don't like it, but I figured, I have long hair, so it looks worse than it really is. Well today, as I was in the shower, my hair came out a lot, like it usually does, but what freaked me out was when I pulled out a centimeter-sized portion. Add that to what already came out, and I had an inch-thick clump of hair clogging the drain.

I don't have cancer and I'm not on chemo, but I do have MS and I'm on some intense meds for that. All I can think is that it's the meds. But you see, I prefer not to be reminded that I have MS, or that it has me. And seeing my hair fall out like that is a reminder that I'm SICK. If only, if only I could ignore it. But it's there, staring me in the face from a fist-full of hair.

Well, I prayed, as usual. God says our hairs are numbered, and I asked Him if He's keeping track of the huge loses. I'm afraid to go to the salon for fear they'll be shocked at the amount of loss, and I'll be devastated. I could ask my daughter to come and have a look, tell me if she sees any bald patches. It brings to mind my hair in my youth. My mom always cut it short. I hated that! I wanted long, beautiful hair. But my mom, being the tomboy she was, never did anything with my hair, so she made it easier on herself and chopped it off when it got too difficult to handle. I always wanted to be like a princess, with long flowing hair. To have wavy locks for a prince to . . . Okay, enough whining. My oldest just came to me and I asked her to look for any bald-patches. After looking at me like I'd either lost my mind, or wondering if she should be worried, she searched my head and found none. Thank goodness. Poor thing. I shouldn't have done that to her. SIGH

Anyway, when I stepped out of the shower, remembering that I'm sick and wondering how long I've got on this planet, I wasn't as scared as I used to get. I mean, my life is in God's hands, is it not? So, why worry about when my life will end? After all, when it does end, I'll be with HIM, with my precious Lord and Savior. The One who died for me, who loves me and cares for me more than I care for my own children. And I love them quite A LOT!

So, I imagined what it would be like to meet Him for the first time. What would our first meeting be like? I prefer describing it in a song. So, if you want to know what I feel and what I think, click HERE. To my knowledge this is a simple love song, and not meant to be a Christian song at all. It's in some chick-flicks and what have you, but listen to the words, and imagine, you're on your knees, desperate and ashamed, and terrified because you're surrounded by a majestic light. It comes from a man, a person, and power radiates from His being, a power you know can crush you and destroy you with a breath. Trembling, you lift your head just enough to see the man's feet, scarred with holes, as if a nail had been driven into them. You push back, lifting your gaze to the man's legs. His robe sparkles with light, and the words KING OF KINGS LORD OF LORDS are written along His thigh.

"Don't be afraid," He says and kneels before you, sending sparks fluttering around Him. Some land on your arm, but they don't burn. His eyes are like fire and His hair white as snow. He reaches out, His palm bearing the wounds of a nail, and slips his warm fingers beneath your chin, tilting your face to His, and . . . He smiles. A smile like none you've ever seen before, a smile that fully reaches His eyes and turns them to an amber glow. Something about them makes you want to lose yourself in their depths. His gaze tells you you're safe, that you're home. That He's your older brother and He will protect you.

Trembling and stunned, you place your fingers over His as they caress your cheek. Like a kitten, you press further into his warm, comforting hand, wanting to lose yourself in His touch.

"I know Your face," you whisper. You've seen Him before. You've seen Him in the faces of all those you have trusted, in all those who have done good to you, in all those who have loved you.

PRE-ORDERS for my book, coming soon!

You know, I don't post much because I can never think of anything to say, and because of the reasons I described below. However, I noticed, I don't struggle with posting on my Facebook. So . . . I decided, I'll just share the same messages here as I do there. I don't always have to have long messages on my blog, right? :-)

So, here's the latest:

DeWard Publishing is talking about setting up pre-orders for my book! The book doesn't release until November 1st; however, they're talking about making it possible to start ordering it in September. I'm a little nervous about that because it means I need SALES. I don't want this publisher to feel sorry for taking me on! Yikes! So, think Christmas everyone! Think Christmas! CHRISTMAS! *waving my magic fingers to entice all of you to buy, buy, BUY!* LOL

Click HERE or on the image to read a blurb about my book.

Stay tuned! I'll let you know when it's available for pre-order!

I AM NOTHING

I’m a horrible blogger. I didn’t understand why I could write tons of fiction but be so lousy at blogging. Well, I discovered this isn’t anything new, really. When I was in high school, I could sing quite well when I pretended to be someone else. You know, like when I played the character Ado Annie in the musical Oklahoma. I did great then! But if the choir director asked me to sing something as little-ole-me, well, my confidence went in the toilet.

It was easy to pretend I was a fabulous singer when I was playing a part, pretending to be someone I wasn’t. But when I couldn’t pretend and I had to be “me,” I suddenly became terrified. What if they hated me? What if I couldn’t find the right note? What if . . . well, you get the picture.

I recently discovered, I have this same phobia when it comes to writing. If I’m hiding behind a character, I’m more confident. I can write as long as I’m pretending I’m a certain character. As long as I’m not “me,” I’m fine.

But lately, I’ve found “me” slipping onto the page. Not that I interfere with my characters and who they really are (although, there are times I’ve done that and had to clean up the mess I made). The truth is, I’m finding that my lack of confidence is seeping into my work. So often I find myself doubting. Who said I could write? I have no business rubbing shoulders with other authors who’ve been published over and over again. Who do I think I am?

That’s when I accepted the fact that I simply couldn’t do this alone. There was no way I could write the stories I want to write without a helping Hand.

You see, when I was in seventh grade, I was tested at a third-grade reading comprehension level. They eventually got me up to speed at a tenth-grade reading level, but with that kind of history, I really don’t feel like I belong in this world of writing! Again, the question plagues: Sandi, who do you think you are?

Well, now I have an answer! I AM NOTHING. I AM NOBODY! That’s who I am! So there!

Really. Without God, I am nothing. That is why I pray over everything I write. I ask God to make my stories pleasing to Him. I ask Him to help me when I can’t figure out how to word a sentence. I pray over every paragraph, every scene, and every chapter in my work. I ask Him if it’s pleasing to Him, and if it’s not, will He please show me how to fix it before it’s too late. I ask Him how I can make something sound “better.” I ask Him to guide me in every way in the hopes that my work will lead people to Him.

While I write, I imagine Him behind me, guiding my clumsy fingers over the keyboard. When I get excited about something, I thank Him for what we accomplished. He is my mentor. My teacher. My strength.

I’d like to be able to say I do it all on my own, to strut around and claim every accomplishment was reached because of my great skill and talent, but the reality is . . .

HE has made me what I am: a professional editor and an award-winning author.

Through my weaknesses, He has always been strong. And I can guarantee you, if I get a haughty attitude, I’ll end up flat on my face. Ouch! I’m constantly growing, improving as a writer and storyteller, and I’ll continue to grow as long as He leads me.

There’s a reason I write Soli Deo Gloria (To God’s Glory) after my stories. I pray my stories will glorify His Name and encourage people to look for Him and to Him for the answers. In what better Hands can I put my work, my hands, my life?

Thank You God for being my confidence and for making me ME!

Because I have nothing to say . . .

and because I need an ego boost, I’m going to share some of the exciting endorsements I’ve already received for THE MASTER’S WALL.

It’s a grand thing to find an intriguing story told by a talented storyteller, and that’s just what we have in The Master’s Wall by Sandi Rog. This story has it all: ancient Rome, authentically depicted; a hero worth rooting for and a feisty, charming heroine—all flowing through a rousting tale beautifully spun. Rog—and every reader—has a winner with this one.

—Robert Liparulo, bestselling author of Comes a Horseman, Germ, and the Dreamhouse Kings series

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"The Master's Wall" is a meticulously researched story that grips you tighter and tighter with every page you turn. Sandi Rog has a knack for engaging, nail-biting narrative--I'm glad to see this is the first in a series, because I definitely want to read more from her.

-Alison Strobel, author of "The Weight of Shadows" and "Reinventing Rachel"

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Powerful, faith-challenging, epic in nature, The Master’s Wallbeckons readers to ancient Rome where Sandi Rog delivers a captivating story that transforms lives––and not only those of her characters. Highly recommended!

--Tamera Alexander, bestselling author of Within My Heart (Bethany House Publishers) and The Inheritance (Women of Faith Fiction,Thomas Nelson)

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“He fights for his freedom. She fights for her life. Together they fight for each other.”

Can I just say “Wow!”? Or maybe “Stunning!”? I love stories set in the first century, and The Master's Wall ranks as one of the best I've read to date. The characters are exactly what a reader wants—full of spirit, full of fire, full of temper that leads them into trouble . . . and faith that helps them through it. The setting is so richly portrayed that you'll feel like you've donned a toga and are wandering through the villa.

Sandi Rog uses these gripping characters and stunning setting to execute a plot that will keep you guessing and dreaming and yearning along with Alethea and David. The Master's Wall is so enthralling that it even haunted my dreams when I put it down halfway through—and you can bet I finished it the next day!

There's so much I loved about it—the brutal reality of slavery depicted. The sweet hope of a girl whose innocence has been marred by tragedy. The enduring faith of a boy who determines to spread the Gospel, even in captivity. And when the depravity of man butts against the perfect will of God, you can bet there's going to be a lot of conflict to keep those pages turning!

For lovers of Biblical and first century fiction, you will not want to miss this one! And for those unfamiliar with the genre but interested in history, pick up The Master's Wall for a trip to Ancient Rome that will make it feel like home. This is one I'm going to be recommending to everyone I know.

---Roseanna M. White, author of A Stray Drop of Blood

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The Master’s Wall escapes easy definition. It’s a historical novel—but set in 1^st century Rome, not in 19^th century America. It’s not a romance—but the hero and heroine marry by the end of the book. It’s not a YA novel—but the protagonists are in their teens.

David is but a boy when he sees his parents dragged away by Roman soldiers and he himself is sold as a slave into the household of Aloysius. Alethea is the master’s granddaughter—but since her grandfather had her father dragged away for his Christian beliefs, she feels insecure and unloved.

David trains as a gladiator and yearns for the day he can be free once again—to discover what happened to his little sister. Alethea reminds him of his sister in many ways. When the opportunity for freedom presents itself over The Master’s Wall, he instead chooses to stay and protect the young girl.

Given her detailed description of David’s training, Rog sounds like she went to gladiator school herself. Ancient Rome comes to life in her skillful hands. She intertwines faith, perseverance, love, and hope in a moving love story.

If you love gladiator scenes—you’ll love this book. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories, you’ll enjoy Alethea’s journey from girlhood to adult. If you thrive on romances, the sweet love story will grasp your heart. A must read for all the right reasons.

~Darlene Franklin, multi-published author of A String of Murders.

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Filled with fascinating details of life in first century Rome, The Master’s Wall is a story that will linger in readers’ memories.

---Amanda Cabot, author of Scattered Petals

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Sandi Rog's landmark book, The Master’s Wall, Book One in the IRON AND THE STONE series, is a sweeping tale of pain and healing, forgiveness and redemption, and, most importantly, love. With every word, every phrase, Rog weaves a tale so compelling that readers will not be able to put it down. When they do so, it will be with tears borne of appreciation for a truly inspirational read.

—Jane Choate, multi-published author of over 28 books. Her 2010 release is Bride Price, an Avalon romance.

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Sandi skillfully transported me back to the harsh world of Roman rule with this engaging story about David and Alethea that moves at breakneck speed. I also learned a great deal about the courage of the "early adopters" of Christianity.

—Mike Yorkey, co-author of The Swiss Courier and the Every Man's Battle series

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Awesome! Sandi Rog grabbed me from the very first sentence and didn't let go until the last page. But I wanted more. I wanted to again run barefoot through the villa, climb the master's stone wall, look out over the lush vineyards, and escape to ancient Rome in the distance. So . . . I read The Master's Wall again.

—Wendy Chorot, Words To Life Editing

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I laughed, I cried, I worried, and I forgave as I read to the end of this wonderful story. I am impatient waiting for the next book.

—AJ Hawke, author