Good News, Bad News … and Just News

Posted on May 19, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

It’s been a mixed week in my writing world. No, I haven’t penned many new words on my WIP … but I’ll get to that in a second. Let’s bring you up to date.

The good news is my Christmas book for young and old — Yes, There Is a Santa … And I’ve Met Him Personally Many Times — has been accepted by my publisher, Higher Ground Books & Media. It is going through the editing channels as we speak, but the better news is we have chosen an illustrator for it!

This will be an entirely new experience for me. I don’t typically write at children level. I’m not sure why. After all, I’m more of a child myself than an adult.

But, anyway, after self “dumbing it down” and trimming it down — by about half — Rebecca has gone to work further matching the words to the audience. She connected me with one of her illustrators, Jasmine. Over the weekend we signed the agreement for approximately 29 pages of artwork including the cover for the 53 page book. We’re shooting for a Sept. 1 completion and an early November release — just in time for some Christmas reading.

I wrote the story last Christmas and read it live to my grandchildren. It is — in my mind — designed to be read by a parent/guardian or other reader with bright, bold illustrations to draw in the younguns but with an underlying message the narrator could appreciate.

I’ll keep you posted.

And now the bad news. It isn’t horribly bad news. In fact, it’s more of a speed bump.

I was well into the process of releasing My Name Is Sam … and Heaven Is Still Shining Through as an audiobook. We were hoping to launch it this month but … the coronavirus appeared. Andrea regretfully had to withdraw from the project. Some COVID-related issues flared up precluding her from completing the recordings. It’s too bad. Andrea had the perfect easy, soft, grandmotherly voice and cadence. I could envision in my mind Sam telling her life story. Thoughts, prayers, and thanks to Andrea as she heals.

So, it’s back to the drawing board. Higher Ground has re-posted the project so we can get someone else started on it right away.

And now for the rest of the story of my writing journey. Wisdom From a Father … one dads thoughts on life — Volume 2 is thisclose to being published. I am working on the cover and need just one copyright release before hitting the send button.

Volume 2 will follow the same format as the first. It is a collection of additional short stories, updated and taken from this blog. Each of the 52 “chapters” can be read at your own pace or broken into weekly, hopefully inspirational thoughts. Each chapter takes ordinary, everyday events and puts a reflective spin on it. I still envision a fall release.

And then there is the WIP. Sadly, as I stated before, not one new word has been added over the past few weeks. But that doesn’t mean I’ve neglected it. No, I’ve been spending time rewriting and editing and researching the just over 6,000 words already committed to paper. And I have added key scenes/words/paragraphs to my outline which I hope will be to my benefit when I actually block out the world and write.

I do have good reasons for procrastinating {okay, they are not good reasons, just excuses}. I was beta reading a book for a friend. I am currently reading a book for a review I promised. I’m tired.

That last one sounds strange, but it seems my “creativity” surfaces in the middle of the night. 2:30. 3:30. 5. A scene flashes across my sleepy consciousness. The words write themselves; I just need to transcribe them. The problem is it’s usually the middle of the night. 2:30. 3:30. 5. I could a) get up and write although I know from experience that would mean I wouldn’t go back to bed; OR b) jot the words down to be expanded at a later time and drift off back to sleep. I usually choose b.

The reason for that is twofold. First, it doesn’t take me too long to fall back asleep and, second, often, my “dream” either rewrites itself or adds new details. The trade off, however, is by early to mid afternoon — my preferred writing “time” — I’m more ready for a nap than time in front of the laptop.

Speaking of naps, this seems like a pretty good time.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. — Winston Churchill

 

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Woodcutters’ Observations

Posted on May 18, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

Today’s Words for Week come from Pesach Krauss and Morrie Goldfisher from the chapter “A Time of Trouble Is a Time To Grow” in their book, WHY ME? — Coping with Grief, Loss, and Change.

I sometimes tell patients the parable about the two wood choppers who had taken down a tree that was over one hundred years old. Looking at the growth rings to determine the tree’s age, the younger man noticed there were five very narrow rings. He concluded there had been a five-year drought, during which the tree had shown very little growth.

However, the other lumberman, a wise old man with a philosophical bent, had a different viewpoint. He contended the dry years actually were the most significant in the tree’s history. His reason: Because of the drought, the tree had to force its roots down further to get the water and the minerals it needed. With a strengthened root system, it was able to grow faster and taller when conditions improved.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Never bend your head, hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye. — Helen Keller

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Trusting God’s Timing

Posted on May 17, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

This week’s reflection is by Lynette Kittle from crosswalk.com.

“But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison” — Genesis 40:14

Have you ever experienced feeling forgotten by someone who promised to keep in contact with you, or said they would recommend you for an opportunity, but then seemed to have disappeared and forgotten all about you?

Scripture tells us about the extraordinary life of Joseph, a man who understood what it meant to be forgotten by others. Sold into slavery by jealous brothers who truly did want to forget all about him, their actions led to Joseph’s imprisonment.

While serving time with fellow inmates, Joseph interpreted a dream for the chief cupbearer who was also imprisoned at the time. Joseph asked to be remembered by him when he was released. But, following a quick release, this inmate forgot all about Joseph’s assistance. Genesis 40:23 explains, The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

So, was the cupbearer just a terrible person who purposely forgot Joseph? Was he a self-absorbed individual totally ungrateful for his help? Or, was his delay in remembering Joseph all in God’s timing?

It’s a question we, too, may want to consider when it seems like we’ve been forgotten by someone we thought for sure would remember us.

Genesis 41:1-13, describes what followed. After two full years had passed, the chief cupbearer’s boss, the Pharaoh, had a dream he didn’t understand. When all his advisors and consultants couldn’t interpret the troubling dream for him, the chief cupbearer had an “aha” moment where he remembered Joseph.

This “aha” moment led to Joseph being called before Pharaoh to interpret his dream, an act that led to his release from prison and being placed into a high position within the kingdom (Genesis 41:41).

Although forgotten throughout his life by others, God didn’t ever forget Joseph, working through his life in remarkable ways (Acts 7:9-10).

Like Joseph, when we have felt forgotten by others, we can take comfort in knowing God remembers us. We can also trust God is at work in our lives, whether by way of those we are hoping will think of us, or through those who may surprise us.

I have a family member who was praying and asking God for a job, when friends who were thousands of miles away, ones he hadn’t been in contact with for years, “just happened” to be looking through a box that brought him to mind.

In thinking of him, they had an “aha” moment, where they felt prompted to contact him in consideration for an upcoming opening at their organization. In calling to reconnect with him, they discovered he was looking for a job, which led to his being hired for the position.

So, whenever we’re feeling forgotten by others, we can choose to trust God hasn’t forgotten us. We can believe He has a plan for our lives and will bring us to the minds of those who know us, in His perfect timing and according to His will.

Who has God brought to your mind recently? Anyone you haven’t thought about in years? Take time to consider why you’re thinking of them, and ask God if He is prompting you to reach out to them.

Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, iBelieve.com, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, Startmarriageright.com, growthtrac.com, and more. She has an MA in Communication from Regent University and serves as an associate producer for Soul Check TV. Crosswalk.com is an online Christian living magazine presented by a group of writers, editors, and content producers seeking to provide applicable, educational, and entertaining content to followers of Jesus Christ, regardless of where they are in their respective spiritual journeys. They woud love to hear from you. Please feel free to send them your comments, questions, writing inquiries, and feedback via their Contact Us page. Crosswalk.com is part of the Salem Web Network, a division of Salem Media Group.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Our greatest fear should not be failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter — D. L. Moody

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God’s Prayer Closet

Posted on May 16, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

As we build this community prayer platform, we ask the Lord to listen to our petitions with full confidence they not only are heard but acted upon by God according to His holy will. These requests are on my prayer list and I hope you consider putting them on yours as you place your petitions before the Lord Sunday.

This week, let’s remember we just celebrated the Empty Tomb. Our world is currently being battered and torn with the coronavirus pandemic. But we know through that Empty Tomb, Christ defeats all evil – illness, death, and even Satan himself.

Approach the throne room and respond with faith and not fear, knowing the promises of God and His mighty hand will hold us through any situation! Sometimes, all it takes is just one prayer to change everything. Something extraordinary happens when two or more agree together in prayer.

What is one of the most important things we should do as Christians? Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18).

And, so, Lord, we come to You with our petitions, knowing and expecting Your will to be done.

Thoughts and prayers to all worldwide suffering from the consequences of coronavirus flu – and all other strains. Many – many – of the prayer requests are covid-19 related … people diagnosed … people sick … people dying … relatives worried and isolated. We are in this together – in prayer!

Please keep the victims of household abuse in your prayers. Whether it be physical, emotional, sexual or neglect, this time in particular is very horrifying for them to be trapped in a house with their abuser(s) and not being able to escape.

First, some praise reports. Ken is home settled on the couch. The surgeon was able to unblock all three stents and the blood is flowing in his leg. He still has pain in the foot but nothing like it was. Ray also is recovering from a triple bypass. LoLo also returned home after a hospital stay. Pray they continue to heal.

Dave had a difficult time breathing this week and was taken to the ER but refused to stay alone. They did run tests. They all came out ok, but the heart ultrasound did show a slight edema. Some medication was changed. Please keep Dave and family in your prayers.

Doris suffered a mild stroke last week. Lift her up.

Annie asks for prayer for an upcoming surgery.

Angie is experiencing some heath issues and could be lifted up.

Andrew continues to struggle. He had a few very bad, dark nights this week, but continues to battle through prayer – and a sense of humor.

Dave continues to need prayer — lots of prayer — as he battles his biggest challenge: loss of hope.

Marsha has congestive heart failure, a leaking heart valve, and now they believe a hole in her heart. She can use prayer.

When it all seems too much Geska concentrates on placing her faith and hope on prayer. She is taking one step at a time. Radiation is not a walk in the park. Please keep her in your prayers.

Shelby is struggling mentally. Please pray for her.

Rose really needs prayers. She is so very, very tired and needs another round of antibiotics and steroids. Her lungs/voice have been poor since early January.

Cass is asking for prayers. She hasn’t been able to stop crying all week.

Lucia asks for prayer while healing from depression. May she know God’s grace, be given freedom from fear, and blessings of faith that go with it.

Dynes suffered a stroke Thursday morning but is stable so far. She will undergo surgery next week to remove a tumor in her head. Prayers requested.

Prayers requested for Riley, 27, as he is having health (liver) issues yet to be diagnosed.

Also, please pray for Harry as he is in a battle with prostrate cancer.

Please pray for Sheeba. She lives in England and is currently fighting cancer.

Tim will be having surgery soon. Pray the family will trust in the Lord who cares for us.

Ashley has a doctor’s appointment for some health issues she has been having. She feels so anxious and needs to be lifted up.

Dawn has shingles and requests prayers.

We also lift up the congregations still struggling with whether to reopen church buildings, use alternate services or continue with online worship. My Maine church – Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist – asks for prayers for Alden, Tony from the Atkinson church, and Carol who is starting her journey back to Maine.

There were a host of unspoken prayer requests and we heard of a number of deaths this week. Prayers for their families as they go through this earthly trial. We grieve … heaven rejoices.

We come to You, Lord, because prayer is the least yet the greatest thing we can do for each other. When two or more are gathered in Your name, we confidently know You are with us. What better company can we have? You reign and we trust You! We may be broken and battered but know You heal and quiet the soul. You are the source for all that happens in our lives. We thank You for the progress being made. We thank You for the many blessings we have received this week – including the blessing shared from Ken, Ray and LoLo. Some we unfortunately didn’t notice. Nonetheless, those blessings are ever-present in our lives. We thank You for healing. We thank You for slowing us down. We thank You for providing us our daily needs — no more and no less. We thank You for being with us, listening to us, walking with us on this journey. We thank You for the support of our family and friends … for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary — sunrises, sunsets, flowers, kids laughing, adventures, good news amid the bad news. We know we can come to You with our concerns and they will be heard. Through Christ all things are possible. We lift up those family members and friends who are battling various physical, emotional, financial, career or spiritual issues and ask not for Your guidance and healing (although that would be welcomed) but to keep reminding us we are not alone in our battles. Specifically we lift up Dave, Doris, Annie, Angie, Andrew, Dave, Masha, Geska, Shelby, Rose, Cass, Lucia, Dynes, Riley, Harry, Sheeba, Tim, Ashley, Dawn, Alden, Tony, Carol,and all those needing Your healing and guiding touch. We pray for the families of all those You have called home. We grieve … You celebrate. We pray for obedience to Your Will so Your “Son” Light shines through us through the power of the Spirit. And we come to You through the confidence of the words taught by Your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Keep your joys and concerns coming. They have been and will be included during my prayer time and I trust they will be on your lips as well as you approach the altar. All it takes is a couple of keystrokes under the “Contact Me” button on the top bar {or to the right if you’re not a follower yet}. I hope it becomes your best friend as you navigate around the site so we can all be viable prayer warriors. You can also comment or reach me at wisdomfromafather@gmail.com.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you. – St. Augustine

 

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Five Minute Friday — Normal

Posted on May 15, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

The Five Minute Friday assignment is to write for five minutes on a prompt word, post it and share with fellow Five Minute friends at fiveminutefriday.com. Around 100 of us gather round to encourage and support our fellow Christian writers, writing in a variety of styles and genres. It’s always very interesting to see how a simple word takes shape into posts. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes not as much, but it is always entertaining. Be sure to stop in and read the diversity of thought. And don’t be afraid to join in!

I’ve been sharing snippets taken from Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat, compiled by Susan Shipe. They are a testament to the value of the exercise. This week, I’ll share some perspective from Zivah, who I hope inspires you to check us out or, better yet, encourage you to try your hand at focused, unscripted writing for just five minutes. And share it on Kate’s website.

“I learned about the FMF  community through an online women’s magazine and decided to join. In doing so, I found community, friendship and encouragement: an opportunity and platform to connect with other writers, bloggers and those eager to encourage and be encouraged. I also found links to other blogs and websites that I’ve subscribed to — those of women who share their achievements and their struggles. Here, I have found space to learn that my failures are as glorious as my successes, and my weaknesses as courageous as my strengths. And, I’ve found opportunities to give love, friendship, encouragement and  uplifting to those FMF connections. It’s just a beautiful community to be part of.”

The word this week is NORMAL. The clock is starting, so let’s GO …

I’m not sure I want to go back to normal after this pandemic runs its course. To begin with, what is “normal”?

Sure, it would be nice to go where I want when I want. It would be nice to resume some activities that have been put on hold. It would be nice to accept each day without fear or worry.

But, two things stand in the way.

First, normal may not be normal. I am afraid there will be a new normal, a lingering normal that might very well extend long into the future. Things like masks and “social distancing” and restrictions in our everyday lives may become “normal”. That’s not the normal I would like to see.

But more important,  who defines normal? Our politicians? Scientists? Our peers? Are the often immoral, God-less, … STOP

… selfish days of pre-coronavirus the normal we will be returning to?

I hope not. My normal is not your normal. My journey is not your journey. I am unique. You are unique. That’s what I want to return to … the craziness that’s me … the thoughts that go through my head unfiltered … my fears … my joys … my successes … my failures. I want to shake people’s hands or give them a hug. I want to visit with family and friends without restrictions. I want to meet new people in groups large and small.

I respect you if you choose generic guidelines going forward — just in case something could or would be lurking in the open air we call life. Just be careful in your bathtub.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Nothing will work unless you do. — Maya Angelou

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What’s Next

Posted on May 14, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

Over the past few months — even before the pandemic stay at home orders — the most asked question I have been asked is “what’ next?” It is equally asked about my wanderlust and my professional endeavors.

Invariably I  answer, with either an actual or virtual shrug of my shoulders, “I really don’t know.”

That exasperates my family. They know that is perhaps the most truthful statement I ever make. Of course they try to reason with me. You have to know. You have to have some plans. Then they stop in their tracks because they know I am a “what’s next [in the closet]” type of guy and they have seen years and years of short sleeves in the  middle of winter, long sleeves in 90 degree weather, and in the older days of checked shorts or slacks, a striped shirt. They know one of my favorite words is “serendipity”, accepting whatever the moment brings. They recognize I could be any where at any time — a quick unplanned trip down the shore for a sausage and pepper sandwich, a middle of the night trek to the easternmost point in the U.S. for a sunrise, traveling through Canada en route to or from New York and Maine. That’s why they put a tracker on my phone.

Even as my career unfolded, it migrated from New Jersey to Illinois to Ohio to Washington (DC) and New York, not because I was disillusioned with my place of employment but because another opportunity opened up. I never believed in burning bridges — just crossing them and enjoying each moment. Sure, there were some curses along the way, but in 20-20 hindsight, there wee far more blessings and happy memories.

Now, if you remember, when I decided not to renew my lease in Maine, I embarked on a last quarter 2019 journey to visit my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Mission accomplished. My 2020 plans including a coastal/Route 1 adventure from Key West, FL, to Fort Kent, ME. When I actually jotted down a budget, it became fiscally unattainable. In hindsight, that was a serendipitous mission fail. By my calculations, I would have been grounded somewhere around Folkston, GA — and might still be there! Plan B-2020 was to reverse direction from South Carolina to Kentucky to Ohio to New York to Massachusetts, with a couple of trips to Maine for appointments. That plan was accomplished, but still begs a Plan C-2020.

Plans and I don’t play well in the sandbox. I was — and am — drawn back to Maine. However, without any real viable housing in sight, the next thought was to permanently relocate to Kentucky and bunk in with my single son. Corona chose the latter. I escaped Ohio just before the state locked down and reached Kentucky just as the governor placed travel restrictions that remain in place.

It’s been a good 55 days, I think. Joe and I have pretty much the same one day at a time attitude. We don’t require a lot of attention. We keep each other company. He stays busy during the day with word at home while I’ve been able to settle into a more regular routine, including time for writing. We’re making it work {it would have worked had I hunkered down at any of my children’s home}.

I am comfortable here. Of course, I haven’t strayed too far from the front door except for an occasional day trip for an outside walk. And I was stunned the other day when I went to the pharmacy. The clerk was just finishing stocking a shelf when he spotted me and said he would meet me at the counter. I got to the counter and he already had my prescription in hand. “I just need to you to verify your date of birth Mr. Siccardi.” I’ve seen this clerk maybe twice before, yet he knew me … in “tiny” Bowling Green, KY. When I went to Kroeger’s last week, the woman the checkout — the same one who checked me out the first time I shopped there — asked me if I had any coupons. She remembered I had forgotten to present them up front the last time … again in “tiny” Bowling Green.

So, yes, I am  comfortable here. But will it be permanent?

I don’t know. Before leaving Maine, in fact before I decided not to renew my lease, I applied for an apartment in nearby Dexter, one geared to seniors. Out of the blue, I received a call about a possible vacancy at the complex. I was No. 2 on the list and the woman in front of me was already locked into a lease at a different complex, so they weren’t sure she could break the one for the other. I looked at the apartment in late February. The woman got the apartment. However, another one was scheduled to open up in April and I was  next in line — except she couldn’t move because the apartment wasn’t vacant because of the pandemic, barred because the apartment she was going to wasn’t vacant because of the pandemic. Maine is locked down. And so I wait. And so I don’t know.

At the outset of my travels, I turned it over to the Lord. Thus far, He hasn’t definitively answered, although I do know He has a plan. He always has a plan. I just hope He hasn’t been pointing me to Nineveh. I would hate to be the cause of this latest storm.

So we’ll see where the Spirit leads me. Who knows? Maybe He wants me to stay in Kentucky. Maybe He’s pointing to Maine. Maybe the Lord just wants me to do a little more traveling and visiting and observing His presence in everyday life. And I’m good with that.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Love is not defined by who you love, but how you love! — Tylenol commercial

 

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Midweek Mirth

Posted on May 13, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

One of the misconceptions about being a Christian is non-Christians think we don’t know how to have fun or have a sense of humor. Trust me, if the Big Guy can have a sense of humor when it comes to dealing with us mere mortals, so can we.

The difference for Christians is we don’t have to debase ourselves or others to generate a smile. Laughter at life or ourselves is a gift from God.

It’s time for some a little Midweek Mirth to help us get through this virus shutdown, so let’s smile a little!

Briefly

I wonder if God was so fed up with all our fighting down here He sent us to our rooms.

Did you hear about the bank teller who saw two masked men coming into the bank? He was greatly relieved to find out there were just there to rob the place.

A bookseller conducting a market survey asked a woman – “Which book has helped you most in your life?” The woman replied, “My husband’s check book!”

And now for the bonus …

Coronavirus Changes

The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house, and their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors!

Do not call the police on suspicious people in your neighborhood! Those are your neighbors without makeup.

Day 7 at home and the dog is looking at me like, “See? This is why I chew the furniture!”

Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our hands?

I never thought the comment, “I wouldn’t touch him/her with a six foot pole” would become a national policy, but here we are!

Me: Alexa, what’s the weather this weekend?  Alexa: It doesn’t matter … you’re not going anywhere.

Quarantine has turned us into dogs. We roam the house all day looking for food. We are told “no” if we get too close to strangers. And we get really excited about car rides.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: The most wasted of days is one without laughter. – e.e cummings

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So, You Want To Write a Book

Posted on May 12, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

I was asked a question about what advice I would give to someone who wanted to be a writer.

Simple answer: You are, you just don’t know it.

I do believe everybody has a story to tell. We don’t share because we don’t know how to tell the story … then we get frustrated … then we give up.

Truth is, there is no magic formula. Each of us are different with a different story to tell. Some of them come  from the deep recesses of our imagination. Others come from our experiences. Others are tutorials, how-to books and manuals. Still others are a collection of work formed around a central theme. Most are words — our words, our choice of words — fashioned into sentences creating paragraphs that make up chapters and wind up as stories. But all follow the same process.

I’m going to talk a little bit about the mechanics of writing. The basic recipe for any story – be it a letter, a press release, a short story or novel – is the same. What. When, Where, Why. How. Those principles are universal and connect the readers (the audience) with the writer (author). If any of the five elements is missing the words are just words.

In the 50-plus years I spent as a writer and editor I have written and edited some real stinkers. I have also polished words to bring them to life, both my own and those of others. If I can do it, so can you.

It all starts with an idea — the what. It might be a thought, something you saw that triggers an emotion, a dream. The key is developing that idea. Will it evolve into a short story? A poem? A novel? A journal jot? A blog post?

That’s what you have to decide. What is the underlying story? What idea do you want to develop? Most important, what do you want readers to get from your manuscript? It’s not enough to have an idea. You have to be able to develop it.

Your idea will pretty much give you a time frame for your work — the when. In my book, My Name Is Sam … and Heaven Is Still Shining Though, for example, the story follows Sam(antha) from about age five into her 70s. So, all of the descriptions should be geographically and chronologically accurate. In my case, Sam’s early years were in the mid-60s in northern New Jersey. After she got married to a Navy officer, the scene shifted to the Dayton, OH, area from the 70s on.

I bring this up because you decide the time frame. If you’re writing something historic, know the history. Know what was happening during that time. If you’re writing a contemporary piece, stay in the here and now. If you’re writing a futuristic fantasy, let your imagination run wild.

That all, of course, leads to research, research, research. You can write about what you know – in fact you should write about what you know – but if the words or scenes are at odds with your time frame, you’ll have a problem keeping your readers’ interest.

Like the “when”, your idea (the “what”) will dictate the “where”. It’s the setting you choose to carry your story forward. It becomes part of the infrastructure for the story.

The pitfall for many writers is they don’t identify the “where” and readers get lost trying to figure out where they are and how the characters got there. From experience I can tell you readers will just give up.

Just like the “when”, the “where” needs your attention as a writer. For example, you can’t move your characters from one location to another in a way that isn’t plausible. To explain, you wouldn’t have 19th century slaves moving through Indiana in the space of a day or two. It was time consuming and dangerous. Those chilling stories have to be incorporated into your story.

Why is perhaps one of the hardest parts for a writer. You can have the greatest idea in the world. Your thoughts can be riveting. Your story might click mechanically, words flowing like a master wordsmith. But if you can’t answer the question — “Why am I writing this?” — the sustainability of your work is in peril.

For some — especially journalers, poets, and to a large extent, bloggers – the answer is self-satisfaction. They’re not necessarily writing for profit. They are satisfied capturing their words and sharing them with a narrow audience. For others it is the prestige of seeing your name in print and, hopefully, a few coins to offset the costs.

I always advise prospective authors to write for themselves first. It might be a reflection of your beliefs or your history. Remember, these are your thoughts. The value is in the eyes of the reader. Count yourself as your No. 1 reader and expand from there to family and friends, then outside your circle. Don’t try to do it in reverse.

The nuts and bolts comprise the how. This will actually be the most intense part and it largely will depend on what genre you choose. Regardless of your genre, however, the spokes still have to connect to the hub. The difference is whether you use a carriage bolt or a screw, a nail or an angle brace, a rivet or a weld.

Remember, the shortest definition of writing – in any form – is communication. If you’re not communicating your thoughts to your readers, the words are hollow. That’s where your writing skills come in. Good writing skills allow you to communicate your message with clarity and ease. Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation are important, but the crucial element is always to remember your audience.

Always, good writing is more than stringing words. It’s painting a mental picture through your words. It’s the writer and reader interacting and being involved. The best writer in the world would fall short if no one reads his work. The most avid reader in the world would be empty if there were no words to read.

I did compile a short guide, So, You Want To Write a Book as I prepared to teach a class on “Taking the Fear Out of Writing.” I would be happy to send  you a copy. Contact me here or leave me a comment and I’ll get it out to you. Make sure you include your e-mail address.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: There’s not a day in your life that doesn’t have the fingerprints of God all over it.

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Aesop Fable — Oldie but Goodie

Posted on May 11, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

We’ll use an old and time-tested Aesop Fable as our Words for the Week.

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway. It just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

The farmer invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, and never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Be yourself. Everyone else is taken. — Oscar Wilde

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The Influence of Godly Mothers

Posted on May 10, 2020 by wisdomfromafather

Today we pause to honor that special person in our lives whom we lovingly call “Mother.” The Bible says of the virtuous woman and mother described in Proverbs 31:10-31, Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her — Proverbs 31:28.

History records almost all Christian workers who have been greatly used of God had godly, devoted mothers. It is no accident God put His hand upon a young man named Timothy, for he grew up under the influence of a godly mother, Eunice, and a godly grandmother, Lois (see II Timothy 1:5). With Moses, there was a faithful Jochebed (see Exodus 2 and Hebrews 11:23). It’s very unlikely Samuel would have become one of God’s mighty messengers without a godly Hannah (see I Samuel 1-3). With very few exceptions, great men have had godly mothers.

Susannah Wesley spent one hour each day praying for her 17 children. In addition, she took each child aside for a full hour every week to discuss spiritual matters. It’s no wonder two of her sons, Charles and John, were used of God to bring blessing to all of England and much of America. Here are a few rules she followed in training her children:

1. Subdue self-will in a child and thus work together with God to save his soul.

2. Teach him to cry softly.

3. Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak.

4. Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks for it politely.

5. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is freely confessed, but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed.

6. Commend and reward good behavior.

7. Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child.

May God give us more mothers whose chief concern is the rearing of children for righteousness; mothers who make the home a little corner of heaven on earth!

Dear God, give us mothers whose gentle hands speak of sacrificial labor for their families; whose voices sing softly of Jesus and His love, and who uphold their families in prayer.

With grateful hearts, some of us relive fond memories of such a person. For many, she waits on the shores of Glory. For others, her face still smiles in life. We should rise up to call her blessed. Profound is the influence of a mother: “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” How great and how wonderful the influence of godly mothers!

Our reflection this week is from the desk of Pastor George A. Mulford III of Grace Bible Baptist Church, Leesburg, FL. He was licensed and ordained by Faith Baptist Church in Sarasota, FL, after receiving a degree in Bible from Heritage Baptist University. He was called as pastor to Grace Bible Baptist in March 1991. On Nov. 9, 2014, after 39 years of faithful ministry and pastoral care and having met all of the academic requirements, Pastor Mulford was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by Trinity Baptist Seminary chartered under the laws of the State of Georgia. He and his wife, Kathy, have four children and eight grandchildren.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Believe you can and you’re halfway there. — Theodore Roosevelt

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