Temples of Gold

I've been reading Exodus lately and I use to think it a boring book with so many facts, but this time around the details of the incredible artistry and craftsmenship that went into the making of the ark of the covenant, the lampstands, the tapestries, the priestly garments, the curtains, and on and on is breathtaking. Since I'm reading about it in an Archeological Study Bible, I'm learning a lot of historical information such as the amazing amount of gold and silver and precious stones used. It's estimated that over a ton of gold and 3 tons of silver went into the creation of the sanctuary.Those are staggering figures considering gold sells for almost $1,000 an ounce these days! Unfortunately, all of this was plundered ages ago, but the lessons we can learn will never be lost or buried.

After reading this for years, I received a fresh revelation about the ark of the covenant, which was created to house the spirit of God between the two cheribum that sat atop of the ark (Exodus 37). The Bible also mentions the name of the major craftsmen who fashioned the ark--Bezalel. The skill needed to do this was of a very high caliber. "He also made the mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits was its length and a cubit and a half its width. He made two cherubim of beaten gold; he made them of one piece at the two ends of the mercy seat: one cherub at one end on this side, and the other cherub at the other end on that side" (Exodus 37: 6-8).
When I remembered the purpose of the ark, to house the Spirit of God, and the words of Paul that "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit" ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ,I realized the value God accords us. When we accept Christ into our lives, the Spirit of God comes to dwell within us. We who are flesh and blood, jars of clay, become the ark for the presence of the Holy Spirit!Thiank about that for a while. God esteems us of more value then precious gold. We become the living temple, the holy of holies and the ark of the covenant because we live in Christ and He is in us!

Instead of God dwelling in a temple of gold on the outside, He creates a golden temple within us.All our trials, persecutions, setbacks, difficuties and final victories burn off the impurities and refine us into pure gold. God continues to live in a temple of gold, but it's fashioned by His hand, not man. Even though Bezalel was highly skilled, God is more then capable of accomplishing a more beautiful work, one that is both internal and eternal. A creation that cannot be lost, plundered or deteriorated. Now that is hideous cost of fuel.)

Interview with Tracy Krauss: Her book And the Beat Goes On

1. What is the basic story line of the book and what inspired you to write it?
An archeologist and his team find the remains of pterodactyls and humans carefully buried together while on site in Africa. This leads to all kinds of speculation, including theories about a pre-flood race of giants known as Nephilim mentioned in the Bible. The find has the scientific community in an uproar, and soon sabotage, ‘accidents’, and even death threats begin to put the find and Mark’s reputation in jeopardy. The book is a commentary of sorts on the creation/evolution debate. It is full of action and suspense, but also has a romantic element as Mark, the main character, falls in love with an unlikely woman from his past.

2. How long have you been writing?
I started writing my first novel about twenty five years ago, but I only made the leap into the ‘published’ world in 2009 when AND THE BEAT GOES ON released. It is actually the sequel to PLAY IT AGAIN, which is strange since the second book released before the first. They are both stand alone novels, however. I started sending out queries about seven years ago, so it just goes to show that for some of us, writing takes perseverance.

3. What role does character development play in your writing?
I’m big on character development. I want all my characters to be as believable as possible, so I spend a fair bit of time creating bios etc. I think it helps me to know how each one will react to certain situations. We need to be constantly asking, “What is this character’s motivation in this scene?” It’s similar to what an actor will do when preparing to take on a role.

4. What moral or message do you want readers to come away with after reading this book?
The story has a strong redemptive element. Even the most skeptical person can come to know Christ and its never too late in God’s eyes, no matter what you’ve done before. Also, I want readers to come away with questions about the origins of the universe and hopefully do some digging of their own on the topic.

5. How would you characterize this book in terms of its audience and genre?
It is definitely written from a Christian worldview with a very clear message of salvation at the end. However, it does contain what some would call and ‘edge’ in that the characters and situations in the book are not glossed over. It could be called ‘edgy Christian’ or ‘edgy inspirational’ and it is also within the romance category.

6. What exactly do you mean by ‘edgy’?
For me ‘edgy’ means writing from a place of authenticity. This doesn’t mean that it contains anything graphic or explicit, but it does mean that the characters act like real people. They aren’t perfect – even the Christians, so they don’t always think, act, or react perfectly. I don’t like reading fiction that is overly ‘sanitized’, so to speak, so I try not to do that in my own writing.

7. How is this different from other Christian fiction?
I suppose this might mean that it contains some elements that would not normally be found in most Christian fiction. It could be anything from some mild cursing to some sexual content to violence, or even just dealing with ‘touchy’ subjects. There are varying degrees of ‘edgy’ and I feel as if my work is actually quite mild compared to some that I’ve read. There is a fair amount of debate on the topic. I think there is definitely room for everyone, though. It’s what makes the body of Christ interesting. Not everyone is or has to be the same.

8. Who would you consider to be your greatest mentor in terms of your career as an author?
As far as authors go, I have always been a huge fan of Frank Peretti. He’s written some ‘edgy’ stuff but maintained his very clear Christian perspective. The same could be said for Francine Rivers. She blazed a trail with books like Atonement Child and others.

9. How does marketing and promotion factor into your writing life?
I spend several hours per day online doing various tasks such as blogging, social networking and other promotional activities. It’s just a fact of life in today’s industry – something I didn’t realize until after the fact!

10. What have been the highest and lowest points in your writing career so far?
High points would be holding my first published book in my hands, signing every new contract, and getting unsolicited positive reviews. Low points would be some of my early rejections. (I’ve since gotten much thicker skinned…)

In the Midst of Your Storm

I wrote this several years ago for the sequel of When God Speaks which I'm working on now. I thought it was appropriate in light of the storms that ravaged the Midwest and South and that they wil now be in the thick of clean-up.I'll be praying for them. Here's some encouragement to anyone in in the middle of a storm.

“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you (Psalm 91:5-7).


In the midst of the tornado that threatens your life is a vortex of peace. It is I. In Me peace resides, while hurricane winds and twisters spin around you. Prayer will bring you to the place of peace inside the eye of the storm. Cry out to Me and I will hear you. I will answer you when your energy is spent. Listen for My still quiet voice calling to you. It will bring healing as you draw close to Me.


A deep abiding relationship with Me will keep you in a place of peace. Faith and trust will keep your spirit in the palm of My hand, untouched while even the body suffers. Inside My hand is a kernel of peace and joy inexplicable. It is the joy the apostle and martyrs experienced while being tortured. It is a power available to you through My Holy Spirit. It is yours for the asking.