Inspired by Rachel Held Evans is the book I did not realize I needed until it took hold of my heart, mind, and soul. If you ever felt uncomfortable with some of the complex parts of scripture and wondered how they could be explained in light of God being a good, loving, and just deity, this might be helpful. The answers may not be easy, but at least this book enlightens and gives you a position of solidarity.
Lore by Alexandra Bracken follows the other mythological texts I seem to keep reading and shines brilliantly. This is a modern struggle between gods and humans in a race for survival and ascension. The writing is beautifully done, and the pace never lets one slip into boredom. I am enjoying it immensely.
I know Christianity and myth are not always embraced together, but I like a little lite with my seriousness. I am always in search of variety.
You might like one or both of these.
Blessings embrace you Every day in all things, ways, God be your love, peace.
Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance. – 2 Peter 1:5-6
Every day we have choices, and when we are faithful and follow the advice above, we are likely to have a good experience in life, with blessings of success.
Last Friday I got a letter, which I should have received at the beginning of the month. It was a critical matter, so Monday, I made calls, but by this evening, I had gotten no callback, and I was apprehensive.
I wrote a respectful email, praying that I could straighten the problem out. I wrote carefully, clearly, hoping I would find compassion. I used all the knowledge of grammar and style possible in my lexicon.
I very quickly got a response that put me at ease.
I did not give up but kept beseeching a solution.
We do well to do our best and apply every knowledge and ability to those things we attempt.
Being kind, tender, caring with the people we encounter and those who inhabit our lives fosters love and teaches us self-control. We choose how our life comes to us. If we desire goodness, we must be busy with it in our days.
God is good, and Jesus is always willing to help us if we are hard-working at well-doing.
Remember, small things add up to more joyful days and eventually may lead to greater happiness. Joy is a foundation under a life; happiness is a pinnacle less often obtained.
There are authors I return to with zeal. I read enough I have a variety of favorites. One I discovered in high school is James A. Michener. I read Centennial then and it cemented his finesse in the very highest echelon of my regard.
Recently, I read two of his excellent novels. One, coming in at 1425 pages, is The Source. This is set on that parcel of land sacred to three major religions. It begins in prehistory and tells very engaging stories coming into modernity. I am still thinking of it fondly. I gave it 5 stars, and doubt I find much more engrossing this year.
The second is a bit shorter, at 753 pages. Space is a novel of the American Space Program. It has everything one could want in an epic of an epic era. Mr. Michener is a consummate storyteller weaving yarns that keep one up well past decent bedtimes. This was also a 5 star rendering.
You would do well to read these. If you look for instruction in the craft as you read, these will deal you Aces.
Today, I return to my original format used with my first creativity project online, found on Chronicles. I have included my handwritten journal entry for this date.
Prompt If you have not tried journaling, do that. You may wish to do freeform as above, or you may want to give yourself a topic each day. If you are doing specific creative work, a journal may also be used to work out glitches and problems in what you are doing. Include what you wish; a journal is like a friend whose feedback is in your reading again.
Recommendation I have listened to the Audible version of Sandman and am listening to Sandman 2. I am usually not a fan of audiobooks, but I find these extremely enjoyable. Both employ a cast of voice actors and required sounds, and it may help that I am already a fan of Neil Gaiman.
READING SUGGESTION The first book I have completed in 2022 is Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I read this book in 2011 when it originally came out, and I am afraid much reading since fogged my memory of some portions. Since my son, Alex, often references it, I reread it. It is a good book about computers, simulations, the 1980s, the present, friendship, romance, lost love, and even has some murder thrown in. It is a book with a broad appeal, as relevant now as at its initial publication, maybe more.
1 Maybe, those dreams past We can make real if we take This time to attend To things we began before Warnings dire started to flash.
2 Who could you become If you trusted yourself more Than you have before?
3 We can never buy What we want most, try we may But days, past decays.
Gratitude List I am thankful: 1. For holidays, and For average days when routine Takes hold, and things are A bit less bold, and one can Be a comfortable self, like: A quiet volume, Not opened to reveal all The story it hides, But sitting dreamy waiting ‘Til some hungry soul arrives. 2. For clever devices Technologies some devise Adding joy to lives. 3. My ability To read and maybe write, With some expertise. 4. These dogs, who call me Theirs, who willingly share space And the air freely. 5. Friends and family I have had, happily known, Those lives still present And those now gone, just away, Or to their heavenly home.
A gratitude list, made poetry? Not entirely sure what happened there, but I also seem to speak in rhyme from time to time, so I guess I will not worry over something so sublime.
I am afraid all this went a little long, but I hope you enjoyed your time here. If you like, use one of the available methods to follow the site, or come again when you will. I would be most pleased to have you like this post and the others you read. If you have friends who might find this worthwhile, your recommendation is always appreciated.
Nothing worthwhile is easy, but difficulties do not signal giving up. Our minds may attempt to convince us we cannot compete, finish, win, but even so, we cannot give in.
All good things must be nurtured, tended, grown with attention and positive intention. We are those who make a difference through our achievement or neglect.
Today, the challenge is to create even when there is nothing to display, though words like minnows when light is withdrawn – race away.
We do not molder in the dark and allow life to fade. We prepare for times of shadow, arranging to have light enough to illuminate areas most common. The existence of consciousness is so rare that appreciation may best always be the default position.
Another year of untarnished days beckons, all wrapped in fancy, delighting with what will be. Living each moment fully, vanquishing regret, is creativity’s Love call. Making life a better hour than before is the goal. The competition is besting our yesterday and tendering ourselves to feel at ease, home.
Things we extend our strength to accomplish can become fuel for the future. We all belong and are enough as individuals. As groups, our power to save the world multiplies. We are stars, uplift, flame, we become the good we will, lightning still.
No brakes; finding what must be is the mission; everyone must search. No one needs permission to reach for more. All is to be, assured. The whole is sufficient to meet every need. Ask, receive! Eject fear, embrace belief!
Romans 8:28 – And we know all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose.
If you have differences, please take what you can and pardon the rest. I do not intend to offend anyone; I believe in love for everyone. All are welcome here.
Close upon the skin The who we live with, within, A reliquary loved For living life, to abide Until all things become new.
Gratitude 1. The electricity was not out for more than two hours. 2. I have battery backups to help make storms less disruptive. 3. I completed 93 books last year. 4. Sometimes, the words show up if I am open. 5. The gift of the day and all the blessings it brings.
Prompt If you wish, act upon something above. By all means create, whatever excites you. In doing, we can hold entropy at bay. Chaos needs your help to release its claim.
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Haphazard Creative 
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