By Melissa Bennett I’m going to say something that goes against the grain. Something that is deeply contrary to our Western culture. It might feel more than a little uncomfortable and some may even take offense. But I’m going to say it anyway. It’s okay if you are not able to write right now. One more time for those in …
Mama’s Secret
By Renee Hodges Enough. I’ve said it to the server at our favorite Italian place as she grated a gracious amount of Parmesan cheese on my meal. I’ve growled it through gritted teeth at a child testing my patience. I’ve asked it of a friend to find out if I’ve given advice that helps her with a difficult decision. I’ve …
Our Family of God
By Christine Sunderland Our cities are burning. Some say civilization is collapsing. And today is the Feast of St. John Baptist. Our world needs some baptizing, some holy waters to put out the fires. My recently released novel, Angel Mountain (Wipf and Stock), is set in the midst of this cultural chaos. It is about another baptist, a hermit living …
The Power of Being Seen
By Tara Johnson One of my favorite stories in the Bible is God’s encounter with Hagar. This slave girl was mistreated and unloved, forced to play a role she didn’t ask for. She had no rights and no one to speak on her behalf. She was invisible to those around her…until she met El Roi. After running away from Sarai, …
Changing Perspectives
By Kathleen Denly In 2017, my husband and I adopted a beautiful, miraculous little girl from China that—despite her young age—taught me a lot about perspective. According to her paperwork, she should have had spastic dyplegic cerebral palsy in addition to a large number of scars from a traumatic event she’d endured as an infant. Our understanding was that she …
Distractions or Disruptions
by Loretta Eidson Are you struggling with relentless distractions? If you’re like me, your calendar fills with deadlines, projects, and commitments. Finding the time to complete each task weighs on our minds. At times, we have so much going on we give in to the distractions around us and avoid facing the workload. Distraction (Google definition)–a thing that prevents someone …
Passion to Persevere
By Davalynn Spencer My writing desk sits in the middle of a tiny spare bedroom facing a window. The wall space next to the window is covered with framed prints of my book covers, a few awards, and two decorative, inspirational plaques. One of the plaques was a gift from my daughter that reads: Dear God, I want to take …
A Writer’s Success—A Project Always Under Construction
By Donna Wichelman During these days of quarantine, a writer friend has sent quotes of the day to our writers’ group. I’ve enjoyed the many words of encouragement, but one struck me as particularly profound: “Success is a project that’s always under construction.” Philippians 1:6 came to mind: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work …
Writing in the Midst of Chaos, Pandemics, and Life
by Kimberley Woodhouse The past few months have been weird. There, I said it. Of course, I don’t think any of us will soon forget COVID-19, coronavirus, stay-at-home orders, masks, church services all moving to online, or any of the other oddities that became normal parts of our everyday life during this pandemic. And it’s not over. To be honest, …
Writing Quotes
by Henry McLaughlin Many of us have writing quotes to inspire or nag us. Or to nudge us to keep writing. A few of my favorites include: “If my family didn’t want me to write about them, they should’ve behaved better.” – Anne Lamott “First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him!” – Ray Bradbury “I love …