The most precious stones on earth are forged in dark caverns under years of intense pressure. Still these gems require cutting, shaping to release their true beauty and become treasure forged in darkness.
The most precious stones on earth are forged in dark caverns under years of intense pressure. Still these gems require cutting, shaping to release their true beauty and become treasure forged in darkness.
What does it mean when a poet’s craft is part of their spiritual practice? In most cases, it’s not just about describing our observations or ideas in an artful way. It’s also about more than being moved by what inspires us. In other words, it has nothing to do with craft, talent, or motivation¾in fact, it transcends all that.
Mom has been gone twenty years. A lost battle with leukemia. I like this picture of her in California, young and so full of life.
I wrote this short story many years ago. It follows an old-school, omniscient storytelling point of view, and portrays an allegory to the real Gift of Christmas. Like a physical present, which cannot fully be known or experienced without unwrapping it, Jesus and the gift of life he offers cannot be experienced unless it’s unwrapped and stepped into.
The song, Joy to the World, one of my favorite Christmas hymns, commands that “every heart prepare Him room.” This hymn talks about singing with joy, experiencing joy, and making room in our hearts for the One who will give us true joy. The simple notion that we must prepare a place made me think and ask: “How do I prepare Him room?”
I see hope—sandwiched in the middle of faith and love—like an elusive mist, there one moment and gone the next. You can’t see it, but you sense it, like the evidence of the wind on the waves.
Basically, thankfulness boils down to a choice, a decision to count your blessings instead of the pain. When you make a conscious effort to be grateful, sometimes even the pain becomes a blessing.
I am not an outspoken person about my faith or otherwise. What I choose and how I live my life are my biggest testimonies. However, just because I happen to say less does not mean that I am ashamed to tell you what I believe. I’ve been thinking about strength lately. My body seems to …
Have you ever worked at something really hard expecting to receive results, only to be surprised with the outcome? I have.
When I first started writing, I didn’t realize how many kinds of “third person” perspectives there were.