The Holy Spirit’s eighth gift is gentleness. In English, gentleness is the noun form of the adjective gentle. It’s defined as the quality or state of being gentle; especially displaying mildness of manner or disposition. At first glance that probably doesn’t look too appealing or effective in today’s culture. It seems the only way to
Purest Fiction: She Could Write Here
When the doors closed at ten, the refugee writer had no appetite.
The waste of food appalled her. The slop bin on her cart swam with flat soda, cold coffee, strands of spaghetti, and cigarette ashes. So many customers chose the triple bacon cheeseburger the author was sure the odor in the apartment stairwell would be a living, breathing thing.
“Hey, bus girl, ya did a good job tonight.” Mavis nodded as she swiped the day’s entries from the chalkboard. “I never did hear your name. Did Bill give you your share of his tips?”
Let’s take some of our time today to be thankful for God’s faithfulness. It is so much a part of God’s character that when speaking to Moses, God defines himself by it. “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and
The Holy Spirit’s seventh gift is faithfulness. Scripture frequently pairs it with Love, which makes sense to those of you reading this who have or have had strong marriages. The definitions Websters Dictionary gives faithfulness mix qualities that might be divided between God, and people. The dictionary classifies its first definition, full of faith, as
Video Link This is a rare vlog appearance with Meshea Crysup, the woman who got me back into writing after I graduated from Calvin College, now Calvin University. We reminisce a bit, and chat about a new anthology, Heartland Treasures, to which I am a contributor. You’ll find a link to purchase Heartland Treasures on
What’s in this box I’ve found? I wasn’t expecting a delivery until later tomorrow. I’ve returned from church to find the dear Amazon delivery chap has set it up against my door, right where I need to drive the walker. Cardboard has a surprising amount of friction against carpet. What’s in this Box I’ve
Purest Fiction: Bus Girl
She missed interaction: bouncing ideas between creative minds. Her agent and publisher agreed to forward messages, but she hadn’t stayed anywhere for more than a week all spring.
The author shuddered, remembering a book signing in Phoenix.
“Hello. I came down here to find warm weather, and I’ve found you too.”
Thanks for Goodness? I can easily imagine many of you shaking your heads at me, and saying “Of course, woman. Why ever not?” I agree that that is how it should be, and it’s my intent to live out the remainder of my life with that focus. However, it’s dangerously easy to fall into the
The Holy Spirit’s sixth gift is goodness. Getting a specific grasp on what that is, is not so easy. Goodness is one of the words we’ve tended to cheapen. The first definition Webster gives is: The quality or state of being good. The third option for a definition is: The nutritious, flavorful, or beneficial part
Purest Fiction: Tabloid Headlines—Threatened
The author sat in a plywood chair with her back to the window.
Traffic flickered in her peripheral vision. Was that a turquoise blur? She shifted, too late to confirm it, and laundry curling in the dryers like surf mesmerized her weary attention.
Rising from the chair, she paced, shaking her head. It was past time to shift images and settings for her work. She knew the urge to write would never leave and no matter where she went, something reminded her of her early tales. If she began a story staged in a hill town, would things change again?