Friday, May 21, 2010

Fun Friday Meme


Today I’m participating in Fun Friday Meme suggested over on Faith Writers by Lynda. Basically, I’m supposed to answer a few questions about my own writing. If you would like to participate you can find the details here.

1. What’s the last thing you wrote? Besides the comments I have posted on other peoples blogs and my thoughts of some of the articles and videos I have posted, I wrote a poem for Mother's day on Oldman's Poetry Corner for my mother and I wrote the rough draft for my monthly column.

Was it any good? My mother really enjoyed it and I have had positive comments from other people so I would have to say yes.

What’s the first thing you ever wrote that you still have? I have a story I wrote in grammar school about a rooster.

Write poetry? Yes, I love to write poetry!

Do you type or write by hand? Like Lynda, I almost always type though I do write ideas down by hand as I have them especially when it comes to my poetry. For poetry, I will take the lines I have written by hand and then go to the computer and finish the poem.

Do you save everything you write? Yes, I save almost everything I write.

Does music help you write? Not really, I usually work in quiet.

Do you even show people your work? Yes, all of the time. I do have a couple of people I will share my work with before I share it with the world on occasion but it really depends on what I am writing. My poetry I usually share with a friend of mine who is a poet to get her advice before I share it with the world.

Do you want to write for a living? I want to!

Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper? Yes, I write a monthly column on health and fitness for a local newspaper.

The last thing you’ve had published for pay? I've never really been paid for writing except for a very small amount for the health blog I wrote for Today.com before they were bought out by MSNBC and the Today Show.

Fiction Writers…

Where do you get ideas for your characters? From people I have known but mostly from my imagination. A single character may have attributes of different people.

Are you a Pantser or a Plotter? I'm like Lynda again here I am totally a Pantser. I get a basic idea and run with it and see where it goes as I am writing.

Have you ever written sci-fi, fantasy, or horror? Yes, when I was younger but nothing recently.

Ever written romance or teen angsty drama? No, not really. There may be some romance in my story but I would not call it a romance story.

Genre of choice? Mystery, epic adventure, and drama.

Do you favor happy endings, sad endings, or cliff-hangers? I like happy endings though with twists and turns especially at the end.

Quote something you’ve written. The first thing to pop into your mind.

Buzzing, Screaming, Ringing Loud
Why disturb my dreaming cloud
Don't you know I want more sleep
Just five more minutes I won't fall deep


This is taken from The Nagging Alarm Clock, a fun poem I wrote last year.

OK IT'S YOUR TURN! I’m tagging all of you to copy and paste this FUN FRIDAY MEME onto your blog. Don’t forget to come back and let me know. I’ve love to check it out.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Fliers, Runners & Walkers



Faith doesn't exempt us from life's seasons; it just enables us to go through them victoriously.

Isaiah 41:9b-10 "I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 40:31 "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

If you're a flier -- If you're being blessed by God and experiencing success beyond your natural abilities, enjoy it. But always remember, your ability to fly comes from God -- not you. Forget that, and down you will go!

If you're a runner -- Thank God you're still in the race. Don't compare yourself with high fliers or you'll get discouraged, and don't compare yourself with walkers or you'll become proud. Just keep running and your time will come.

If you're a walker -- Keep putting one foot in front of the other. some days pain, discouragement and fatigue make it impossible to fly high or run; all you can do is walk without fainting, and even that's hard. No problem; give yourself permission to be where you are. Walking counts with God. When it's the best you can do -- it's enough!

For more inspirational videos visit Oldmanblurts YouTube.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

You're Never Alone


And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you.
He will be with you,
He will not leave you nor forsake you;
do not fear nor be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

I chose this photo because like our shadow God is always with us. He is there to carry us through all of our struggles. He is there to walk beside us as our friend. He is there to lead us through our lives and guide us to our destination. We can choose to ignore Him but He is always there pouring His love and grace down upon us.



Word Filled Wednesday is hosted this week by Amydeanne at The 160 Acre Woods. Visit her blog for more visual inspiration!!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Born Again American

I found this video very inspiring and believe all Americans should hear it because it speaks of many values we as Americans find important. I hope it inspires all of us to be more patriotic and better citizens of this great land. I want to take this opportunity to thank Stan at "AccordingtotheBook" for sharing this with me. Please drop by his blog, I'm sure you find it inspiring.

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Blessing of Unanswered Prayers


I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,
but eveything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
Thank you Lord for all the many blessing You give.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

~ Sunday Song of Celebration ~


Trading My Sorrows - Darrell Evans


If you would like to join us for Sunday Song of Celebration please post your music video or audio track on your blog in order to praise, honor and worship our Lord, Jesus Christ. Be sure to grab the button in the sidebar. Then add your link to Mr. Linky below so others can visit and celebrate our Lord through song!


Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
1 Chronicles 16:23

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The Teacup


A couple vacationing in Europe went strolling down a little street and saw a quaint little gift shop with a beautiful teacup in the window. The lady collected teacups and she wanted this one for her collection, so she went inside to buy the teacup, and as the story goes the teacup spoke and said:

"I want you to know that I have not always looked like this. It took the process of pain to bring me to this point. You see, there was a time when I was just clay and the Master came and he pounded me and he squeezed me and he kneaded me and I screamed: "STOP THAT!". But he just smiled and said, "Not yet".

Then he took me and put me on the shelf and I went round and round and round and round... and while I was spinning and getting dizzier and dizzier I screamed again and I said, "Please get me off this thing... please get me off!!!" And the Master was looking at me and he was smiling, as he said, "Not yet".

Then he took me and walked toward the oven and shut the door and turned up the heat and I could see him through the window of the oven and it was getting hotter and hotter and I thought, "He's going to burn me to death!".

And I started pounding on the inside of the oven and I said, "Master, let me out, let me out, let me out!", and I could see that he was smiling as he said "Not yet". Then he opened the door and I was fresh and free and he took me out of the oven and he put me on the table and then he got some paint and a paintbrush.

He started dabbing me and making swirls all over me and I started to gag and I said: "Master, stop it... stop it... stop it please... you're making me gag". He just smiled as he said "not yet".

Then very gently he picked me up again and he started walking toward the oven and I said, "Master, NO!! Not again, pleeeease!!". He opened the oven door and he slipped me inside and he shut the door and this time he turned the heat up twice as hot as before and I thought, "He's going to kill me!!", and I looked through the window of the oven and I started to pound on it, saying, "Master... Master, please let me out... please let me out... let me out!".

I could see that he was smiling but I also noticed a tear trickle down his cheek as I watched him mouth the words, "Not yet!"

Just as I thought I was about to die, the door opened and he reached in ever so gently and took me out, fresh and free and he went and placed me on a high shelf and he said: "There, I have created what I intended. Would you like to see your yourself?" I said, "Yes". He handed me a mirror and I looked and I looked again and I said, "That's not me, I'm just a lump of clay".

He said, "Yes, that IS you, but it took the process of pain to bring you to this place. You see, had I not worked you when you were clay, then you would have dried up.

If I had not subjected you to the stress of the wheel you would have crumbled. If I had not put you into the heat of the oven you would have cracked. If I had not painted you there would be no color in your life. But, it was the second oven that gave you the strength to endure. Now you are everything I intended you to be - from the beginning." And I, the teacup, heard myself saying something I never thought I would hear myself saying, "Master, forgive me, I did not trust you. I thought you were going to harm me, I did not know you had a glorious future and a hope for me. I was too shortsighted, but I want to thank you.

I want to thank you for the suffering. I want to thank you for the process of pain. Here I am! I give you myself - fill me; pour from me, use me as you see fit. I really want to be a vessel that brings you glory within my life."

Author Unknown

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Friday, May 14, 2010

Fiction Friday: We all need a little help now and then


Hop on Over, I'll Be There for You

Bunny Hop
Bunny Go
Along the trail
Off to the show

He hears a sound
Stops on the trail
He hops some more
Into a pail

He is so fat
And round you see
He can't get out
Needs help from me

I gently push
the bucket over
He hops right out
Into the clover

He looks once more
As if to say
Thanks my friend
You made my day

I sit and think
He's fat like me
Glad for friends
To set him free

Friends give me hope
Support my goal
To lose the weight
And make me whole

Like my friends
You make me think
To eat healthy
Watch what I drink

Bunny hop
Bunny go
Thanks my friend
Enjoy the show

~ Brian Russell ~
©Copyright 2009 Oldman's Poetry Corner ~ All rights reserved



Fiction Friday is being hosted today by Cat over at A work in progress. Please take the time to visit her blog and the other links to Fiction Friday.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Confidence in Christ


Many times in life we feel lost, alone or frightened. It is during those times I lean on my Lord for protection and confidence to overcome my fears and to walk beside me and guide me.


I can do all things
through Christ who
strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13


Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Keeping a Joyful Song in Your Heart


You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12



Word Filled Wednesday is hosted this week by Lori at all you have to give. Visit her blog for more visual inspiration!!
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