About the Author
Charles L. Mashburn
I am a born again Christian whose ever increasing love for God and insatiable hunger for His knowledge inspires me to share those things and the love for others God has placed within me with all who care to seek Him. I’m retired from a career as a construction superintendent and now devote my time to writing. I’ve been writing daily devotionals–I like to refer to them as daily encouragements–for ten years and share them on this blog and on Facebook. I also write poetry, short stories, and novels and am currently in the process of publishing my childhood memoir, Just A Boy. My wife of 23 years, Sherry, and I currently reside in Longview, Texas. My hobbies include golf and watching our grandson, Sawyer, play football. But my main focus is writing, and I spend most of my time pounding this keyboard and learning more about God as I go. The most exciting thing He’s taught me is that His love is unconditional and He wants me to love Him as much as He loves me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to adequately return His love, but I intend to give it my best effort.
Buy "Be Still" from WestbowPress.com
Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
booguloo said
Charles, You read like a good man! I think this will be fun although I’m not a duffer.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, boog! I have to admit, I am quite the duffer. I got to a point where I played “decent” golf when I lived in Spicewood, but I’ve only played two or three times in the last two years. So… FORE!
Becca Givens said
Nice to visit, Charles … small world as well … I live outside of Waco … Happy Sunday, and if you’re a dad … Happy Father’s Day!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Becca. Stop by again, sometime!
sillyfrogsusan said
Thank-you for your comment Charles…add an inspiration to others to your list 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you so much, Susan! I try! Come see me again!
jyoti mishra said
Good to know about u !!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! Come by and visit any time!
Joel Hall said
Hi Charles. I grew up in College Station and still have family there. I suspect we probably have mutual friends since C.S. isn’t such a big place. I’ve just started reading your stuff, but from what I have seen so far, I am very impressed. Hope you will visit my blog. I am currently working on an autobiography which includes many of my memories of C.S. from the sixties and seventies. Don’t know if you grew up in C.S., but if you did, you will probably find some of the material very nostalgic.
Please also check out some of my poetry:
charlesmashburn said
We’re newcomers to CS, Joel. I don’t know very many meople at all, but my wife Sherry does. She’s the City Secretary, and I’m retired, so she gets out among the folks a bit more than I do. I will definitely take a look at your blog.
Paula Tohline Calhoun said
Hi again! Just wanted to drop by for a moment and read more about you! We have much in common. Although you have lived in C.S. for a short time, I know the town well, because my Dad took me there to see his “alma mater” once upon a time – Texas A&M! (He graduated in the late 20’s or early 30’s (don’t remamber off-hand the exact year). He graduated from Central HS in Fort Worth, where he was a basketball, football, and track “star” – all three of which he pllayed in college as well. He eventually ended up working for Socony Mobil (which became Mobil Oil, which is now part of Exxon! My Dad would not have believed that would happen in a million years!) He went on to become one of the Corporate VP’s and worked in New York City at hdqtrs
charlesmashburn said
Great stuff ( i had much more to say, but I typed for several minutes then hit a key I shouldn’t have, and it all went away!) I’m mad now! On to the next frame!
Paula Tohline Calhoun said
I couldn’t finish my comment in the box above – a new and different ditch has appeared in my acreage of WP land! I wanted to add that I am a native Texan – born in Beaumont. We moved to CT in 1963. I spent most of my life in that general area, until my Hubs and children and I moved back down south (VA, TN, and NC) to be a little closer to Hubs’ ailing parents – in 1986. So I guess I’m a southerner again – except people keep thinking I have a Boston accent! I don’t, but I also most definitely don’t have a southern one. Hubs does. he also was born in the south, and he has picked it up again sinbce moving back.
charlesmashburn said
My wife Sherry was born in Port Ah-tooor, as she likes to say it, and I was born about as far away from there as one can get and still be in Texas–Borger. It’s in the pan handle, and Bunk used to say, “A man can stand knee-deep in mud and have sand blow in his face.” I know what you mean about the accent. I wrote a post about it you should take a look at if you have some spare time–“When in Rome, I reckon…”
Again, thanks so much for visiting. Loved it!
Paula Tohline Calhoun said
Ah, yes! Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange – “The Golden Triangle” as it was called (really!). We used to have a poem we would say when driving around Texas: “The sun has riz, the sun has set, and here we is in Texas yet!”
I will read the post. BTW, I have a few things in re poetry that I would like to “discuss” with you – perhaps a better place would be by e-mail. If this is OK, send me a note at: paulatc@hotmail.com It is OK if you would rather not. (I will never post your e-mail addy anywhere unless you request that I do!)
charlesmashburn said
I never heard that saying. I bet Sherry has though.
Have you read Rebecca Nugent’s book, If the Devil Had A Wife? It’s a true Texas tale about the Stark family in Orange.
Thanks for the visit. Loved it!
sillyfrogsusan said
Dear Charles,
I fear I have not been a good “blog buddy”. I am making your blog a frequent visit from now on. Your words of praise and encouragement have made many of my mornings brighter. Your philosophy about the world being a happier place than we realize is so like my own since I choose to watch through the eyes of kids 🙂
I am flattered to learn that you are a published author. I hope to send uplifting messages, as well as, leave my thoughts for future generations.
Your friend,
Susan
charlesmashburn said
I understand completely, Susan. I get so busy sometimes, and flat don’t have the time to pay attention to what is going on around me.
I appreciate your visits and comments, and truly enjoy reading your blog. You didn’t answer about me posting your link on my blog. What say you bout that?
sillyfrogsusan said
Absolutely alright my friend!
charlesmashburn said
What more can I say? Thank you so very much!
Pat Cegan said
Charlie, I am leaving my reply to your comment on Roller Skates because I was not sure you would see it on my blog:
Charlie, you tell Dana. She needs to hear from all of us why life is sacred and worth living. http://truthspokeinwhispers.wordpress.com/about/
Read what she has to say on her blog and then tell her why you say, No.
pat
charlesmashburn said
I will!
emanita01 said
PS: Your marble background’s great 😀
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I am trying to figure out how to make it one big picture instead of the many like panes, but so far the way to accomplish that eludes me.
voiceoftruelove said
Thank you so much for the encouraging word you left me; i needed to hear that, and learn to let my spirit soak in it. Keep declaring and reflecting the Love of God as He pours into us and as we receive it; i hope the same for myself. Cheers
charlesmashburn said
You are very welcome! Keep up the good work. You never know who you’re going to support and encourage at just the right time!
wordcoaster said
Charles, thanks for being such a wonderful author–your posts make me smile. I nominated you for the versatile blogger award. Thanks for all your support, it means so much to me 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the awesome comments and the nomination. It makes me smile to know I make others smile.
chimnese said
hey there charles an amazing surprise for you…you are featured today
http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/2011/10/friday-poetry-blog-week-9-marbles-in-my.html
charlesmashburn said
How wonderful! Thank you so much, Chim!
Andy said
Hello Charles.
Just stopping by to congratulate you on being featured for Wk9 at The Gooseberry Garden.
Keep up the good work, my friend!
My entry for Poetry Picnic Wk9:
The Beauty Of Love
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Andy. I appreciate your thoughts and comments!
lscotthoughts said
Hi Charles,
I found you through another blog and look forward to reading more about your journey! I hope you’ll have time to visit me, as well! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
I certainly will visit! (already did) I have met so many great people o these poetry sites! Pleased to meet you!
Haley Whitehall (@HaleyWhitehall) said
Hi Charles,
I’m stopping by your blog to remind you to claim your horror flash fiction contest prize. The information is here: http://haleywhitehall.com/2011/10/trick-treat/#comment-3442
charlesmashburn said
So sorry, Haley! I forgot all about that! I’ll take care of it this afternoon!
Actually, checking back, I asked for Shannon’s email address, and the answer was that it was right above my comment. I still don’t see it!
Mohana said
You have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award.
http://insanebloom.wordpress.com/about-2/awards/
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much! I appreciate the nomination!
Shiny said
This is my first visit here but I have been reading your comments around WordPress and I rather like your approach, and so here I am..!!
i loved reading through your site.
i am following it..!!
by the way, i’m shiny, a new blogger and i love penning down my feelings and thoughts, if u can just comment on my posts,,so as to make the future posts better..
http://tripornaghosh.wordpress.com/
..and i just love reading any poetry & literature..
charlesmashburn said
Well, welcome, Shiny! I’m glad you like what you see here. There will be lots more good stuff in the future.
I will definitely stop by your site to see what you have goin on!
Just be real and have no fear, and you can’t go wrong!
Shiny said
hii,,
my blog- tripornaghosh.wordpress.com mistakenly got deleted..
this is the link to my new blog-
http://crowdedsolitude.wordpress.com/
-Shiny.
charlesmashburn said
Okay, got it!
yoga-adan said
beautiful “about” page inscription charles, it’s a wonderful thing you are doing 😉
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much! I appreciate your comment very much!
yoga-adan said
nice to meet a fellow texas, even if i am in vermont for now 😉
unconditional love is the thing, only a goal for us, just enough to learn to accept it from god!
i guess that’s why pets are so adorable and needy for us, to me they’re like practice love for us to enjoy and learn from, but anyway, i got off track 😉
best wishes charles, take care 😉
charlesmashburn said
Too bad about that Vermont thing, Adan. (Just kidding; you know how us Texans are!)
Thank you for the kind words, and, yes, I often think the same way you do with regard to pets. They definitely seem to be here to teach us aboout life.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
ordinarylifelessordinary said
I just nominated you for an Inspiring Blog Award. I will post on my blog explaining the reasons why shortly, but in the mean time there are some rules to follow apparently!
1.Thank the blogger who gave you the award. 2. Tell 7 things about you that have not come up in your blog. 3. Pass this on to 7 other blogs you find inspiring and explain why. Look for a post with my details of why I love you shortly in my blog
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Vanessa! I appreciate the nomination, but I don’t do the awards thing.
ordinarylifelessordinary said
Good for you, honestly I am not sure what I feel about it as it seems a bit like a chain letter or something to me and I don’t normally do those at all. But my nomination came from somebody I genuinely admire, and then I decided that if nothing more it provided a opportunity to explain why I value you all so much.
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you understand. My main thing is, I just don’t have time for it; it can get out of hand real fast. I can see where it benefits some folks though, and that’s cool.
I just posted a new poem, if you have time to take a look at it; “Dreams Like That”.
Rich Beck said
hi charles…thanks for commenting on my poem…i read o chambers UH every morning for inspiration…i’m not there yet…too much of me; too much of others; too much of things; sometimes i feel too many blessings that i do not deserve and ask why me?
charlesmashburn said
You’re welcome, Rich.
None of us are there yet. “My” verse is Philippians 3:13 (and 14), and has been for many years. The condensed version is: I’m not there yet, but I’m headed that way.
All we can do is the best we can do every day.
Thanks for the visit. I hope you’ll stop by again.
Prudence said
Hello, I may not comment, but you are an inspiring blogger! I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award, see my latest post! ~Blessings 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much for the kind, encouraging words, Prudence!
Prudence said
You’re very welcome!!
catnipoflife said
Charles, thank you for visiting catnipoflife. Not sure how you found me but in doing so it led me to you:>) Isn’t that the way His message spreads – most unexpectedly? Your witing is very uplifting and this is definitely the site to visit to ‘jump start’ a new day.
Started following and hopefully you will follow catnip…in addition, I invite you to visit Awakenings, catnip’s sister site. Similar genre (still some poetry) but serving quite a different purpose.
http://awakenings2012.blogspot.com/
Have a blessed day!
charlesmashburn said
I frequently contribute stories to Kellie’s Free Writ Friday, and came across your story on her site this week. That’s how I found your blog!
I’m so glad you enjoy my writing and it encourages me that you find it uplifting; I consider it my job to encourage those who read my blog (I also like to entertain them with poems and stories), and I’m happy you’ve decided to follow along for awhile. I will take another look at your blog, and will visit “awakenings”, too.
Thank you very much for the visit and wonderful comment!
Kellie Elmore said
I miss seeing you at FWF, Charles. 😦 I hope you are healthy and well.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for stopping by, Kellie. We have been covered up for a couple of months! Shopping for, then buying a house. Now we’re packing, and getting moved. I will be a little out of touch for probably the rest of the year. I do look at the FWF prompts every week, and if one reaches out and grabs me, I will drop in on ya. It’s got to be one that really hits me though, cause otherwise I cain’t slow down! But I WILL be back! I promise!
Kellie Elmore said
So happy to hear back from you. My best on your new home and I look forward to the challenge of reaching out and grabbing ya! LOL!!!! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Look out now!
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