By Tamara D. Fickas Grandpa spent much of his life working the land, coaxing forth new life that would nourish many. Farming was in his blood, so he toiled long hours in the fields. Over the years, I realized there is much I could learn from Grandpa. I don’t sow seeds; I sow words. Writing is in my blood, so …
The Writer Challenge
By DiAnn Mills How far are you willing to extend yourself to write a novel? Are you aware of the sacrifices that partner with the rewards of becoming a published writer? Do you ever wonder if you’re all alone in your pursuit of publication? Has anyone ever posed those questions to you? If not, let me give you a little …
Why I Write
By Preslaysa Williams “Do what you love and the money will come.” Mama My mother always said this to me growing up, and Mama was right. When the school teachers pushed me to be a lawyer or a doctor, I wanted to be a creative. With the support of my parents, I was able to be creative at an early …
God is in Control
By Deb Haggerty How many times do we rush blindly into our days, perhaps breathing a brief “God guide me” on our way out of the bedroom to get coffee and dive into our plans? I was reminded recently that our plans may not be the plans God has for us. I was scheduled for a total hip replacement on …
New Year’s Goals and the Reminder That Good Bridges Make Good Connections
By Catherine Stuart As we hit the reset button with the New Year my notebook filled up with goals. Goals that were very different from each other, and I realized prioritizing was the key to success. This year for me is different, as I find myself on a bridge of change. I wish to get to the other side, yet …
Making A Statement
By Cynthia Ruchti Let’s start a protest. A noisy, raucous protest with banners and signs and eardrum- piercing loud speakers blasting the clever quips of our cause: • Make books, not war! • An author’s child goes hungry tonight. Fair pay! • Hope can’t reach anyone from the back corner of a store! • God told stories. So do we. …
Lingering in His Presence
By Ian Acheson Word for the year? Huh? Explain that to me. That was me a few years ago. Here I was in my late forties and I’d never heard of the thing. Why limit your year to a single word? A few of you might be having the exact same reaction this very moment. I read a little about …
God’s Plan for You
By Patricia Bradley “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 God has a plan for each of us, a pathway for us to walk, and it doesn’t always include what we think it should. That thought …
Who Needs You Today?
By Molly Jebber In “Two Suitors for Anna,” I show an Amish woman, Anna, who loves God and has a good life, until her world turns upside down when the love of her life, Noah, leaves their community instead of marrying her. She meets a newcomer, Daniel, who sparks her interest. Anna’s life changed in an instant. Noah broke her …
Is Today Really Necessary?
By Mary Manners My dad’s birthday is today. He would be turning eighty. It’s amazing, looking back over the memories, how quickly the time has passed since he first encouraged me to pursue my love of writing. Dad has always been my hugest inspiration. Long ago, when I was barely a teenager in the early days of my middle school …