On the way to our camp in the Australian bush, we travel past a field that is home to a mob of emus. These birds are almost the largest in the world, second only to the African ostrich. There are many similarities between these two flightless birds. Both are massive animals—six to nine feet tall. …
Continue reading “Devotional | Are you an Ostrich or an Emu?”
One Christmas, I received a book many writers may have in their library of writing resources. Between the covers of Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, Christopher Booker pours a wealth of knowledge into 700 pages about crafting the perfect plot and creating satisfying storytelling. A plot is a sequence in which a story …
“You’re not here to think…you’re here to do as you’re told!” These words were fired at me like bullets from a rifle, causing me immediate injury. Of course, I laughed about it afterwards with my school friends, but in reality, the teacher who shot those words at me in class over forty years ago, caused …
Continue reading “Devotional | You’re Not Here to Think…You’re Here to do as You’re Told!”
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, verse 18- yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God …
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Devotional by Karen Rees “In this world you will have troubles. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 I was reading the Old Testament books of prophecy during the early months of Hong Kong’s demonstrations against the serious erosion of guaranteed freedoms. At first, the demonstrations were massive peaceful protest marches. We …
Continue reading “Devotional | Waiting for the Tanks – Lessons from the Old Testament Prophets”
Have you ever been lost? Have you sat in your car or stood on a street corner, looked around, and wondered where to turn next? Getting lost is not uncommon when we are in unfamiliar surroundings. However, we expect to know how to get from Point A to Point B in our neighborhoods without difficulty, …
Oftentimes, it is easy to forget that it is the journey we are supposed to value and enjoy as much as the desired outcome. I find myself wanting the job finished, the research done, the piece written, instead of pausing to genuinely relish the process. It makes me wonder if there’s a part of me …
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Devotional by Karen Rees Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. Psalm 119:2 Hello, skunk. One Sunday afternoon while we were on summer holiday from primary school, my brothers and I went for a walk on our farm. We met a skunk. When this small animal feels threatened, …
Continue reading “Devotional | Those Small Decisions (Have Eternal Consequences)”
One of the most beneficial things a writer can do is attend a conference. These events provide novices and published authors with networking opportunities, social events, and instruction for learning skills needed to navigate the business side of writing. After attending a couple of conferences and finishing my first novel, I was encouraged to request …
Devotional by Karen Rees “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25 Imagine that your stomach is full, it’s bedtime, and you’ve just …
