Hundreds of years ago, Joel prophesied: "The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes" (Joel 2:31, ESV). Peter repeats that prophesy in his Pentecost day sermon (Acts 2:20), and John on Patmos sees a vision of its fulfillment (Revelation 6:12). This morning … Continue reading Blood Moon
Charles H. Spurgeon has become known as the Prince of Preachers for good reason. The 19th century minister had an amazing ability to make biblical truth come alive. He knew how to turn a phrase. Many years ago we purchased his classic Morning and Evening devotional. While I recall reading it enough to wear page edges and tear the dust … Continue reading Spurgeon’s turns
A rare rainbow phenomenon appeared over central Iowa yesterday afternoon, and I saw it. Driving south over Red Rock Dam, I noticed a long, low cloud shimmering with rainbow colors. I took off my sunglasses because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Sun rays glimmered through the cloud in the awesome way that always reminds … Continue reading Looking up
Late Saturday night I returned from a five-day speaking trip in Illinois and Indiana. Since then I've been decompressing and processing. My mind churns with memories and images that are difficult to distill. One thing I know: God's Spirit amazed me over and over! He equipped introverted-homebody me, who hadn't been able to prepare as … Continue reading God’s work in Illiana
I was one of thousands who watched last evening's debate between Bill Nye, the Science Guy, and Ken Ham, the creation man.Nye wore a snazzy bow tie and a natty suit that looked tailored. Ham's suit and tie appeared to be off a department store rack. Nye's chiseled features contrasted with Ham's rugged Aussie visage. Nye was … Continue reading The science guy debates the creation man
What could be more wonderful for a writer than becoming part of a physical community of writers? I’m doing a happy dance on this wonderful Wednesday because I’ve attended my first meeting of Word Weavers. This remarkable organization provides forums all over the United States (and one in Canada) for Christian writers to critique each other’s … Continue reading Weaving words
Today's a wonderful Wednesday because in the process of reviewing Words for Readers and Writers: Spirit-Pooled Dialogues by Larry Woiwode, I found this quotation about deadlines that I've been searching for:Do you worry about the ethics of all-nighters?—when you have to hand in a story by a certain date and hour, a deadline? Let me affirm that all writing … Continue reading Hand at the chest
It's a wonderful Wednesday because for the first time in months, maybe years, I woke eager to work. What a gift!
If you happen to be in the Chicago area next Monday, September 9, 2013, stop in between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, where I'll be signing copies of my books: A Month of Sundays: 31 Meditations on Resting in God ($10), Little One Lost: Living with Early Infant Loss ($10), and Not My Own: … Continue reading Chicago book signing
Lately I've been thinking a lot about what makes a novel rise above the level of merely well-written fiction to become a literary work. A novel can consist of technically flawless writing, but be as bland as a piece of white toast. So it must tell a good story. It's also true that a novel … Continue reading Literature or fiction?
Glenda Faye Mathes 