'That Sounds Fun' Podcast
A year to the date of my first appearance, Annie Downs was kind enough to have me back. And if it's possible, this conversation might have been more fun than the first.:-) We talk about a new novel, the sequel to ' What…
From Charles
Blog
Stories, reader mail, book news and the occasional fish story, in his own words.
The Antidote...
I woke this morning with this in my heart and on my lips. Rather than offer a social commentary which would do you no good, I offer this prayer. For you and me. It's my response to the fear and anger and mistrust of the…
Through The Innkeeper's Eyes
“…And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” — Luke 2:7 The night is cool and turning colder. The air smells of…
The Truth Behind the Book of the Year
Halfway through the writing of “ Long Way Gone,” I discovered I’d written myself into what looked like a dead end. Or a black hole. It’d happened years before so I tried to press in and listen for the story to bubble up…
What I think...About the Movie
Let me back up — Nine years ago, 20th Century Fox “optioned” the cinematic rights to The Mountain Between Us. In layman’s terms, that’s like leasing with an option to buy. For six years, nothing happened. Crickets. Then…
What's That You're Carrying?
It's Thursday night. Darker than usual. Jesus has just finished the Passover dinner. Washed His disciples feet. Taken the cup. Watched Judas walk out. The end has come. The unsuspecting eleven follow Him through the…
Response to An Angry Reader
Got this in today's mail: "I just started Wrapped in Rain and I was quite taken by the story particularly the mental health aspect since that has been part of my career. You seem to be a moderately interesting writer but…
Earthquake Beneath the House
If you've read ' Water From My Heart,' you know of my story and my adopted family in Nicaragua, of mi Hermano, William 'Moises,' and that Nicaragua and her precious and magnificent people are tender to my heart. Last…
Talk To The Hand
The other day Christy and I were sitting in the kitchen, talking about some stuff we've been actively praying over for a long time. Fifteen years. Maybe longer. On the surface, we’ve seen little change. If any. She’s…
What's In Your Closet
He is face down. Nose to the stone. He's torn his clothes. Hasn't eaten in a week. By now, the whole town knows. David, the Great and Conquering King of Israel is a lying, scheming, conniving, backstabbing, murdering…
If You Missed the "Water From My Heart" Book Tour...
If you missed my book tour but wanted to hear me talk about " Water From My Heart," Gwinnett TV taped one of my events at Books For Less in Buford, Ga. Great bookstore. Lots of questions. Really fun audience. You can…
No Gone Is Too Far Gone
I imagine he stunk. Clothes tattered. Hair matted. Beard stained. One shoe missing a sole. The other worn through. Personal hygiene out the window. Chin once high now drags his chest. His eyes scan the ground -- afraid…
What Now?
At 3pm, as the High Priest was sacrificing the Passover lamb in the temple, Jesus lifted himself and tried to inhale but His lungs had flooded and there was no room. Only gurgle. Having 'poured out His flesh,' He let go…
A Prayer For My Father
Lord, I know I'm not telling You anything You don't already know but the last few weeks have been tough. Filled with uncertainty. With heavy hearts. Shock. Some anxiety. It's been wrough on all of us. Especially mom and…
2014 In The Rearview
When the calendar flipped to 2015, I found myself looking in the rearview with a sour taste in my mouth. Wrinkle between my eyes. I can not tell you that 2014 was a good year. It was not. Honestly, I was glad to see it…
Did It Really Do What He Said It Did?
A friend of mine with a checkered past called me this week. He was struggling. The painful memories, who he'd been, who he'd not been, were raining down. Daggers through the back. I've known him about a decade. Have seen…
What Kind of A King Would Do Such A Thing?
The angels are arranged in perfect rows. Thousands in a row and thousands of rows. Trailing out as far as the eye can see. They are radiant, barefooted and decked out to the nines. Glowing white. Glistening gold…
Will The Real Charles Martin Please Stand Up
I’ve always known I’m not the only “Charles Martin” on the planet. Obviously. It’s not an uncommon name. Whenever I’ve met one, I always recoil a bit. Narrow eyes. Swollen chest. “Don’t mess up my name.” I imagine they…
An Everyday Stretch of Road
It was a normal dirt road. Dusty. Big rocks. Potholes. A trade route. Just an everyday stretch of well-traveled road. Years ago, a man of some account walked it. By all accounts, including his own, he was a good Jew…