Lancaster Christian Writers Conference 2022

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Last weekend I attended the Lancaster Christian Writers virtual conference entitled Undaunted 2022. The speakers shared much valuable information, and I enjoyed every session I attended. If you haven’t attended a writer’s conference, take the step and do so. Although virtual conferences do not allow the person-to-person interaction in person conferences do, they are still a great source of learning and growing. Today I would like to zoom in on the keynote talk, The Gifted Writer given by Bob Hostetler.  

He noted three major characteristics of Gifted Writers using the example of Moses.

Moses at the burning bush. “Take off your sandals for the place you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5. Why was it important that Moses remove his shoes? And what does that mean for us as writers. The point Mr. Hostetler made is: we as Christians need to remove anything that blocks our connection with God. Moses’s shoes were manmade, the earth and Moses’s feet were both creations of God. For us as writers, our inspiration should come from God. We must not allow anything to interfere with that connection. Whatever hinders our relationship with God must be removed. Our sins, our fears, our busyness are blocks. Shame can be a big impediment. All those negative thoughts born of Satan hinder our ability to receive inspiration from God. We think: God can’t or won’t use someone like me. I’m too defective. To be truly undaunted as a writer we must be purposeful in removing anything that acts as a barrier to our relationship with the great IAM.

Keagan’s Memory: An Excerpt From Shadowsprite and Lightfoot – Part 3

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Keagan’s relived memory comes to an end as he finishes telling Bran what happened to cause his fear of being underground. I hope this final installment leaves you wanting to read more of Keagan and Bran’s adventures.

Hours or days later, I blink back the ever-present exhaustion when I stumble to a stop. The most recent curved passage Chaser has led me down opens into a cavern that is a mirror image of the one where I had first seen the rodent. Disorientation hits me. “What? Did you just lead me in a circle? Are we back in the chamber where I found you?”

Keagan’s Memory: An Excerpt From Shadowsprite and Lightfoot – Part 2

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Keagan’s memory continues as he meets a very special creature who gives him unexpected help.

The tunnel I have followed for the last few hours empties into a vast room; the ceiling barely visible in the light I carry. For the first time, the flame flickers and the movement of air gives me hope. I study my surroundings, moving forward in slow, even steps, scanning the floor for signs in the gravel. Farther into the cavern, the distant echo of moisture dripping catches my attention. Though faint, the sound grows louder as I approach a dark opening to my right. Another tunnel.

Keagan’s Memory: An Excerpt From Shadowsprite and Lightfoot – Part I

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In my current Work In Progress Keagan and Bran (aka Shadowsprite and Lightfoot) follow a trail that leads the two deep beneath the surface. Bran confronts Keagan about his fear of being underground and a memory is triggered. I purposefully move from third person past tense to first person present tense as Keagan experiences the flashback and the moment from his past comes alive. Another note to avoid confusion: Keagan is a shape shifter and is able to morph from aelf to fox form.

“The darkness was complete. Like it is here. Or so I thought after they yanked the rope I had been lowered on from my grasp and back through the trap door. It slammed shut, blocking out all light and muting the sounds of mirth that grated on my ears. My father’s laughter mingled with Shadespawn’s and Kord’s, and … I guess … the guards as well. I don’t know. They all blended together.

1 Corinthians and Agape Response

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Most Thursday mornings I can be found at a local church where I join several other women in a unique Bible study group. We read a few verses then individually create artwork based on how the scriptures touched us on that morning.

Joan, our leader always includes another article related to the readings. The last Thursday I met with the ladies prior to my knee surgery on February 3, she printed out an article from Looking into the Lectionary with Teri McDowell Ott, based on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.  This familiar passage is often referred to as The Way of Love and includes the words, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Verses 4 – 7.

After pointing out the Greek language has six different words for ‘love’ and explaining the nuances of each, Ms. Ott says: