March 28, 2024

On Another Level by Mary Folkerts

 



Have you ever wondered if the words you say and write may have a greater impact on someone's life than you imagine? 


Recently, our church sponsored a family from Afghanistan to come to Canada. The process began after the country fell into Taliban hands, and many people’s lives were in danger. By the grace of God and his protection, the family managed to escape to Pakistan. They waited for papers and documentation for about a year before nine of the eleven could move to Canada. Because of logistical problems, one of the family members had access denied, so a sister stayed with him until he could be cleared to join the rest of the family. 


The months of waiting turned into another year, during which time many people prayed and advocated on their behalf. Waiting was hard, especially since the ones left in Pakistan were still in a precarious situation. It took 15 months, but God provided a miracle for them to arrive a few days before Christmas! What a time of rejoicing that was!


During this period of waiting, the two left in Pakistan would watch our Sunday morning church service online (thanks to Covid times), and we would pray for them. 


After they arrived, my Afghan sister shared how blessed she had been by the songs of worship I led in those online services. She said they would help her sleep at night. 


Little did I know that somewhere across the globe, in an uncertain situation, in a country that decried the name of Jesus, a struggling woman could find comfort in the songs that I sang. 


But here’s the most amazing thing. When we aim to serve God with our words, be they sung, spoken, or written, He transforms them with His power to comfort, challenge, and change lives. 


Sometimes, we underestimate our abilities, but we should never underestimate what God can do with our paltry offerings. 



The mind fascinates and                     
imagines wild 
and wonderful 
imaginings,
of different 
worlds—
The possibilities that
we’re not alone,
another universe 
parallel to ours
existing without us 
even being aware, 

oblivious. 

 

Mostly we scoff 

at such fantasy, 

we see our world

as the only.

We, the people

are the arbitrators, 

the fortune makers,

the destiny fulfillers,

the peacekeepers, 

the lawmakers,

the kings. 


We believe in what we see

concrete, scientific 

evidence of what we

can reason. 

Logic says that what goes

around, comes 

around. 

Live well,

enjoy well,

leave the world 

a better place 

for those who come after. 

That’s all.  

But what about 

all the unanswered

questions?

Why is there good 

and evil in every story?

If heaven is real

can hell be a fairy tale?

If there is a God 

is the devil so farfetched?

If humans are so 

self-reliant 

why are we always 

searching for a 

Higher power?

 

Do our fervent prayers 

evaporate into the 

atmosphere, 

leaving our desperate souls

with little hope of 

an answer?

Platitudes to placate 

the feeble-minded?


Or is it true that the 

parallel universe 

of spiritual forces lies right 

above us, 

beneath us, 

and around us?

That our prayers like sweet

smelling incense waft

into the very presence 

of Almighty God,

A king who also calls me

Daughter?

And like a gentle Father

He cradles my prayers

with a tender mercy 

and knowledge that only an 

All-knowing God could 

claim

He answers my prayer. 

Every.

Time. 

His answers not 

always to my human comprehension. 

Sometimes yes,

sometimes no,

sometimes wait. 

But never arbitrarily. 


If we had faith

could we see the spiritual

realm 

warring for our very 

souls?

The battle raging

though the final

war has long been won?

If we were still,

without pressures and 

pleasures to 

distract,

could we hear 

our inner longings,

our spirits,

cry out for our Maker?


Every day

I hear the clang 

of battle.

I know the victory is secure

but the war wages on 

for my soul,

for my mind.

God help me when I 

live my life 

lackadaisical,

thinking I don’t need

His armour

for this battle. 



Mary Folkerts is mom to four kids and wife to a farmer, living on the southern prairies of Alberta, where the skies are large and the sunsets stunning. She is a Proverbs 31 ministries COMPEL Writers Training member and is involved in church ministries and music. Mary’s personal blog aims to encourage and inspire women and advocate for those with Down Syndrome, as their youngest child introduced them to this extraordinary new world. For more inspiration, check out Joy in the small things https://maryfolkerts.com/  or connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maryfolkerts/ 


 

March 26, 2024

O is for Outhouses ~ by Michelle Strutzenberger

 

Acrylic painting by Maria Strutzenberger 2023

As a daughter of missionary parents in Central America, I developed a far more intimate acquaintance with outhouses than I would have liked. Outhouses were the only mode of plumbing at our home, at school, the store, church, clinic, and the homes of friends and other family members.

So, I had to use one every single day.

For me, this was normal life.

But just because something has become “normal” in our lives, does mean we have to pretend it is good.

I sure did not enjoy my outhouse experiences.

Were they adventuresome?

Yes!

On every trip to one such tiny building, I would check for snakes, tarantulas, and any other creepy creatures lurking in the shadows. This was in Central America, remember.

At night, I would try to remember a flashlight. But sometimes one just wasn’t handy, and then the trip was extra fast and full of thrills as I hoped and prayed that this wouldn’t be my last visit to the toilet.

As a very young child, I constantly worried about falling through the hole into the horrible pile of mess below.

When we moved back to Canada when I was a preteen, I never for one moment missed those outhouses.

I have fond memories of the adventure and thrill they brought to my life with their dangers and grossness.

But I don’t wish to go back to them.

In this life, we have some “outhouses” that have become normal for us – death, pain, suffering, loss, separation, loneliness, emotional struggles. This list goes on.

But just because these experiences are "normal," we do not need to pretend they are good in and of themselves.

As a young adult Christian, I took verses like “Count it all joy when you face trials…,” found in James 1, and wove a twisted view that I needed to put on a mask with myself, God, and others when it came to my suffering. I felt I needed to pretend I wasn’t hurting and didn’t hate my pain.

With more experience and study of Scripture, I slowly untwisted that subtle lie. Of course, it is not the pain and sorrow we are called to celebrate. Instead, we can jump for joy and be glad because of the powerful and amazing work of Jesus in that trouble.

The following truths have become especially real and meaningful to me over the years as I’ve struggled through various trials. I understand now that I can be full of great glee and yell yippee, not because I’m having a hard time, because I know these truths are true:

1.         God is close to us in our suffering (Psalm 34:18).

2.         He helps us through it (2 Corinthians 12:9).

3.         He does not give us more than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).

4.         He works it out for our good as we trust Him (Romans 8:28).

5.         The suffering has an end (1 Peter 5:10).

6.         Someday, all suffering will be permanently finished (Revelation 21:4). Hallelujah.

In my years since living in Central America, I’ve encountered a few nicer outhouses than the ones I used as a child. Some sport fresh paint, pretty curtains, scented candles, and even plastic toilet seats. But no matter how much is done to “enhance” their appearance and smell, I will never ever be able to view them as anything but stinky, yucky containers of waste.

I now intentionally try to be honest about my pain and suffering. When I hurt, I talk to God about how much it hurts, how I don’t like it, and how I want it to end. I also have some close friends that I can trust to remove my mask with. In both cases, I first need to be honest with myself.

But realness alone is not enough, of course. I allow myself to be honest, but I quickly follow that with an intentional “note-to-self” about the truths Jesus has given us.

Similarly, when I write as a Christian, I hope to always be real, both about the awfulness of the struggle, and how Jesus helps me in that struggle.

I like the Psalmist David’s approach to his trouble, as shown in the following verse: First, he names the state of his spirit. He doesn’t sugarcoat how he is feeling. He is real. But then he intentionally adds some spirit-boosting self-talk, followed by a deliberate choice to praise God even in his depressed state. Psalm 42:11 “Why are you so downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and My God” (NIV). 

Outhouses may be necessary, but they simply are not -- and will never be -- the Taj Mahal.


Michelle and her family enjoy hiking mountains and trails together. She is currently writing a series under her maiden Mennonite name, Michelle Teigrob. The series is called, What Growing Up in a Mennonite Family of 10 Taught Me About Survival. To receive the bi-weekly tips, visit this link and subscribe.

 

 

March 25, 2024

Overflowing by Valerie Ronald

                                                                              painting by the author
 

Before I step out of the car, I hear the deep roar of the waterfall echoing up from the ravine below. I make my way down a steep path with the increasing thunder of the falls reverberating in my chest. The dense coastal rain forest drips with mist created by the swollen river cascading in a high free fall to the deep pool below. The constant flow of glacial river water is mesmerizing, ever-moving, a living force breathing mist and noise into the atmosphere like a mythical dragon. I wonder how many thousands of years this particular flow of water has carved its way through the landscape, shaping the rocks and terrain on its way to the sea?

God’s overflowing generosity toward His people has its source in His heart of love. He floods us with grace upon grace, demonstrated in the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. There is no end to His love, His faithfulness, His grace, streaming in a perpetual river to those He loves. His blessings fill us to overflowing, splashing over onto others, as He intends. There is a reciprocity in His blessings, for they are given to return to us in even fuller measure. This is not to say we selfishly seek after God’s gifts so He will bless us even more. An overflowing vessel is first filled to its brim before its contents spill over. When God’s blessings overflow to others, we cannot help but be blessed as well.

Don’t hold back—give freely, and you’ll have plenty poured back into your lap—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, brimming over. You’ll receive in the same measure you give. (Luke 6:38 The Voice)

So how does this concept translate to our writing life? What sets us apart from writers who do not follow Christ? They may have extensive gifting, talent, education and experience informing their writing. Although we have the same opportunities, as believers we draw from a different source ˗˗ a supernatural source ever-flowing from the throne of God. No matter what genre or topic we choose, when the Spirit of God fills us it overflows into our writing.

The heart overflows in the words a person speaks; your words reveal what’s within your heart. (Luke 6:45)

A waterfall is a metaphor of our writing life as believers. Before a waterfall occurs there must be a source of abundant water. The headwaters of a river often begin high in the mountains where glacier melt and gravity create a water flow gaining speed and volume as it runs downward. When it reaches a precipice, the water plummets over, creating a waterfall. Just as a river is fed by ice melt, rain and ground water, we need a pure source of living water filling our spirits before our words overflow beneficially to others. Jesus is the only source of living water able to saturate spirits with the truth of who He is. But first we must drink of Him˗˗fill ourselves to the brim with His living words until they overflow into our writing.

Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38 NIV)

A waterfall creates a lush environment. Flora and fauna thrive around it as it releases oxygen-rich mist into the air. People are drawn to the music and scent of its rushing waters, stimulating calm and meditation. Do your readers grow spiritually from reading your writing? Do you provide refreshment and enrichment with your words? Does the abundance of joy and peace God pours into you overflow on the page, providing hope to your readers?

I pray that God, the source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of joy and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Rom. 15:13)

After spending time by the waterfall, I felt renewed and energized by its bounteous flow. I know there are scientific explanations as to why a waterfall makes us feel good. I choose to see it as a beautiful picture of God’s blessings overflowing into the minds and spirits of His waiting children, so they in turn, overflow these blessings to others. 

 

Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk.



March 22, 2024

Onomatopoeia is a Hoot! by Lorrie Orr

 


Want to add a little zing to your writing? Use, but don't overuse onomatopoeia. This is a former English teacher writing this post, so sit up and pay attention. No dilly-dallying!

Onomatopoeia, words that resemble the sound they describe,  is widely used in comic book writing. BAM! KABOOM! ZAP! It's fun to read children's stories featuring onomatopoeia and often causes little listeners to giggle and imitate the sounds. Made-up words are just fine. Dr. Seuss is a stellar example of this. Animal sounds are some of the first sounds we encourage our little ones to make. 

Using onomatopoeia effectively in writing other than for children helps to create a vivid picture for our readers. Combined with assonance, consonance, and alliteration, onomatopoeia can create specific moods such as excitement, tranquility, nostalgia, fear, and other responses. Short snappy sounds evoke liveliness whereas longer sounds lengthen the text and slow it down to evoke quieter moods. Here are two examples:

I heard a fly buzz - when I died -
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air - 
Between the Heaves of Storm
(Emily Dickinson)
(Buzz, Heaves - onomatopoeia with l and r sounds lengthening the
second and third lines)

Beat! Beat! Drums! - blow! bugles! blow!
Through the windows - through doors - burst like a ruthless force
(Walt Whitman)
(Beat, blow, burst - onomatopoeia, with consonance and alliteration evoking the drama of impending war)

Onomatopoeia can be used as verbs, nouns, and more rarely, as adjectives. Effective use of this literary device enriches writing. One caution: resist the temptation to replace "said" in dialogue tags with too much onomatopoeia or you risk telling, not showing. Now, get your keyboard clacking or your pen scratching and think of how you can use onomatopoeia to liven up your writing. Just snap to it!



Lorrie Orr writes from Vancouver Island where she enjoys hiking or boating with her husband and spending time with her five grandchildren. Gardening, sewing, reading, and cooking are other activities she enjoys. 

March 21, 2024

O is for Opportunities! Tracy Krauss

Opportunities. One never knows when the next great “opportunity” will present itself. In fact, so many come across our path that we might start to feel overwhelmed. While we don’t want to wear ourselves thin, we also need to prayerfully look at each opportunity and examine our motivation for saying yes or no. A simple, yet powerful piece of advice has been one of my mainstays: Try saying YES. 


The first time I really appropriated this advice was at an InScribe Conference back in 2013 (or there about.) Murray Pura was the guest speaker and he talked about saying “Yes” in spite of fear and doubt because sometimes this is exactly the small door that might lead to something bigger. He gave examples from his own life of a time he said “yes” to a seemingly insignificant project (and one that didn’t pay well) and then God used it to open a much bigger door which set his writing career on a completely new path.

I think the real point Murray was trying to get across is that we shouldn’t look down on small opportunities. We just never know when these will be gateways to other things.  Zechariah 4:10 admonishes us not to “despise the day of small things.” 

I’m not saying you have to take on everything, nor should you. Learning to say “No” is a skill we also need to learn. It’s brought me balance and helped me establish healthy boundaries. 


However, often we say, “No,” for the wrong reasons. Fear and doubt are the most common. “What if I can’t do it? What if I make a fool of myself? I’m not qualified,” etc. If these are your reasons for saying, “No” you might be selling yourself short. If it’s truly a matter of maintaining healthy boundaries or allowing someone else to step in, then by all means. However, if it’s simply because “Yes,” seems scary, then maybe God is asking you to take a leap. It’s good to get out of our comfort zones!

Another excuse is lack of time. I use the word “excuse” quite intentionally. We’re all busy, but most of us tend to waste a lot of time on unimportant things. If something is important; if it’s something you believe in or feel motivated to do, you’ll make the time. Try saying “Yes” and allow God to help you fulfill the commitment. It could be exactly what is needed to bring your life into alignment. 

Better yet, try adding the word “and”. “Yes AND…” is a powerful way to clarify your yes. It means you’re not just agreeing to anything and everything, but you’re setting boundaries around your “Yes”. You are accepting the opportunity while not necessarily overwhelming yourself with other people’s expectations. 

Saying “Yes” opens all kinds of unexpected doors. It stretches and helps us grow. We might be surprised by what we learn and where it takes us. When opportunity comes knocking, try saying “YES!”



Tracy Krauss lives and writes from her home in northern BC. She said, "Yes" to joining the InScribe executive many years ago and has enjoyed the wonderful benefits of community ever since! Visit her website: https://tracykrauss.com