Are Your Stories Trustworthy and True?
"And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” The words of God spoken to the Apostle John in Revelation 21:5 (English Standard Version) jumped out at me. John is receiving a description of the promised future, a time when God will call...
Facebook Live: Let’s Talk About Sharing Family Stories in Real Time
Today's #write31days blog post is a little different, and a bit of a challenge for me. But, it was fun! Thanks to a Facebook Live video within The Redbud Writers Guild Facebook group, I decided to give it a go. A big thank you to my husband's Auntie Em for her willingness to do this! She is one talented woman and an inspiration. So, here you...
Find Your Voice
I am a fan of Saint Francis. In fact, if I (a former Catholic, now protestant) were to claim a "patron saint" it would be Francis. I admire his passionate faith and his compassionate nature. I've read much about the 13th century friar, a former Italian soldier who is the founder of the Franciscan order of monks. I've often quoted Saint Francis...
Storytelling Is Truth Telling
I've been exploring all the ways that capturing and sharing life stories can be used to impact our world. A very important use of story is found in creating awareness and support for causes. In my work for a local domestic violence agency, I experienced first-hand the power of true stories to deepen awareness of the reality and pain of violent...
Your Life Means Something, and Plan To Meet My Storytelling Guest
"After air, food, and water, the thing we most need is that our lives mean something." Daniel Taylor Daniel Taylor is a writer, author, speaker and traveler. He is also a storyteller. I first sat in a workshop with Taylor at the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His message and his book Tell Me a Story: The Life-Shaping...
Treasure: Preserving Family Histories for Generations to Come
I dropped off a box of books at an area used book store this week and came home with a treasure. I'll tell you more about that in a minute. This wonderful little corner book shop is run by volunteers who carefully categorize and shelve thousands of donated volumes that come through their doors each month. Every genre known to man is...
When Words Bring Healing and Life
In yesterday's post, I mentioned my birth mother. She left our family when I was a small child. Though she came back into my life years later, it was decades before I could write about how her decision impacted my feelings toward her. Writing about this painful truth opened my heart and, in the writing, I found forgiveness. Telling life...
Melody of Life Stories: The Why and How of Sharing Them
There are so many ways to tell our life stories. From straight-forward narratives to poetry to metaphorical fiction, and from print to audio recordings to video to artistic renderings. The options for capturing our life stories are endless. Each one of our grown sons is a storyteller of sorts. One writes short stories, another is a film...
Don’t Waste the Witness of Hard Things
Five years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a tiny tumor, but growing fast. The next several months were taken up with examinations, consultations, decision-making. In January, 2013 the tumor was removed and I had a lightning-fast round of radiation. Writing about my journey was therapy for me (you can read those posts here)....
A Story from the Master Storyteller
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were master storytellers. But then, they were taught by the Master. I've begun reading scripture chronologically this fall as part of a Facebook group led by my friend Traci Rhoades (featured on my blog hop recently). We're currently following Christ's earthly ministry. A couple of weeks ago, our readings...