Movie/book review by Glenda Faye Mathes Brian Banks; Rated PG-13 Production companies: ShivHans Pictures, Gidden Media; Distributors: Bleecker Street, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, Stage 6 Films; Director: Tom Shadyac; Writer: Doug Atchison What Set Me Free: A True Story of Wrongful Conviction, a Dream Deferred, and a Man Redeemed by Brian Banks with Mark Dagostina; … Continue reading Who Really Set Brian Banks Free
Mercy to Generations
Book review by Glenda Faye Mathes Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin Bethany; paperback; 400 pages; © 2018 Because I grew to love the main characters in Lynn Austin’s Waves of Mercy (Bethany, 2016), I was thrilled to read more about the lives of Anna and Geesje in her sequel, Legacy of Mercy. My hopes were … Continue reading Mercy to Generations
Renewed Strength
This morning, two of my favorite Scripture texts became real to me as never before. You probably love these passages as well. The first is Isaiah 40:28–31. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding … Continue reading Renewed Strength
Truth for today
In light of the state of our country and our current political climate, this text from my morning devotions seems particularly appropriate: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and … Continue reading Truth for today
Looking for whip-poor-wills
Have you ever heard the whip-poor-will cry down the twilight? Years since I've heard the haunting chant, it still echoes in my mind. A chance glance recently reverberated melody and memories. As a subscriber to Iowa Outdoors magazine, I receive its lovely DNR calendar each year. Each month features a gorgeous picture showcasing Iowa's natural beauty. The dates are sprinkled … Continue reading Looking for whip-poor-wills
What inspires creativity?
How does a writer fuel the creative muse? What role could poetry or music play? Could sermons or scripture generate creativity? For years, I've believed poetry--or at least being familiar with good poetry--elevated prose. The instructor for my first creative writing course (more than 20 years ago) taught a unit on poetry before teaching prose, … Continue reading What inspires creativity?
Pragmatism, inspiration, and redemption
During the fiction workshop at Glen West, the first and most frequent question instructor Larry Woiwode asked was: "Does it work?" That's the primary consideration. Either a piece of writing works or it doesn't. This may seem a rather pragmatic view, but it's crucial to establish a work's viability before going on to other important questions, … Continue reading Pragmatism, inspiration, and redemption
Glenda Faye Mathes 