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Black Friday and Thoughts on Contentment
I saw a cartoon on facebook today that said,“Don’t you think it’s ironic that Americans spend the most money on new things the day after they say they’re grateful for what they already have?” This made me stop and think. Why are we so discontent with what we have? Why the push and the need for…
Thanksgiving Lessons-Learned List
Happy Thanksgiving! Here in the U.S.A., today is set aside as a day for worship, family, and food. If you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner (or if you’re responsible for any preparations beyond just showing up at Grandma’s house), you will probably spend some part of this holiday consulting a list. You might think your grocery list…
How to Disable the Disabler and Write What’s Truly Remarkable
As an editor, I love to encourage. It’s one of my favorite parts of my job. But all the encouragement in the world doesn’t matter against the Disabler. Eventually, he finds everyone. He slithers over and hisses in your ear, planting thoughts… “I don’t have what it takes.” “I’m nothing special.” “I don’t have anything…
Writing Through the Pain to Comfort Others
by Matt Patterson Some 20 years ago, I sat down at my desk in a noisy newsroom and began to bang out my weekly newspaper column for a small daily in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I covered the courts and crime beat for The Daily Mining Gazette, but I tried my very best to distance those…
Journey to the Center of God’s Will
Maybe you’re like me. Someone who’s been struggling to find God’s will. Someone who’s spent your life on a divine treasure hunt, chasing after God’s will like the elusive Holy Grail, knowing that when you finally take hold of it, all will be well in the universe or at least your life. But what if…
Writer Interrupted by…Unemployment
by Ron Estrada You’re fired. It’s not just a catchy phrase worthy of copywrite protection by billionaires turned reality show stars. It happens to all of us at least once in our professional lives. When it happens to the part-time writer, our first response may be, “The heck with it, now’s my chance to write…
Words of Power
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. James 3:9-10 Words are powerful. Like a bit or a rudder, they can turn large objects by one small uttering, one small sentence. As…
Dare to Dream
The world pushes you to be sensible. Make choices that are normal, ordinary and expected. Do what has to be done and fall in line with the rest of the world. It doesn’t dare you to dream. Dreams live beyond that place. They catch a rainbow and ride into the clouds. Dreams are beyond the…
A Sound Among the Trees Book Giveaway!
I love the way Susan Meissner weaves history with present day in an engaging tale relevant to both time periods! If you would like to win this book, tell me what is your favorite time period OR who you’d most like to BE in history! Contest open to US residents only! It is time for…
Where Do You Autograph a Book?
I love autographed books from the author and keep them on my shelves for years. In yesterday’s mail, I received a new book. The author and I corresponded about it through email and I asked her to autograph it. I was surprised at where she signed my book—on the inside of the front cover. In…