Plot versus Character, a Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction By Jeff Gerke I’ve always been a proponent of continuing professional development, regardless of whether I was a computer programmer, a corporate director, or now, a writer. And, of course, I love books. So I look for books that helps me develop my skills. That’s what I found in Jeff …
Dickens on Helping Others
I’ve recently been reading a seasonal classic, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I haven’t read it since high school. I’m thoroughly enjoying it! I keep coming across passages that make me stop, back up, and read them again. For instance, there’s a part where Scrooge, having just received a visit from the spirit of his old business partner, Marley, …
Thankfulness
Happy Thanksgiving! I firmly believe that thankfulness isn’t something we should focus on once a year. Every day in my morning bible study and prayer time I thank the Lord for so many of the blessings with which He’s showered me. Focusing on my gratitude first thing in the morning establishes my mood for the day. Thankfulness is not just …
Thanksgiving Recipes from Kindergarten Kids
I love cute kid sayings, and some of these made me chuckle. I found them on this website, and since I didn’t see a copyright notice anywhere, figured it was okay to repost. Since many of us in the US will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I thought it was timely. Enjoy, and have a Happy Thanksgiving! A Thanksgiving Cookbook by …
The Story of Daleth (Psalm 119)
I’m in the process of reading Psalm 119 in my morning bible study time, and loving it! In the past I’ve kind of avoided Psalm 119, because it’s such a very long chapter. The overall theme is the importance and power of God’s word, laws and precepts. I didn’t realize the entire psalm is an acrostic, with each section beginning …
Who was that masked man???
For my message on the Name of Jesus last week, I closed with an illustration I found online while researching names. As far as I can tell, it’s a true story. Jean Frederick Oberlin was a minister in 18th century Germany. One day while he was traveling by foot in winter, he was caught in a snowstorm. The wind blew …
Does your kid know his name?
Last week I spoke in church about the Name of Jesus. Of course I looked for a fun illustration to break the ice at the beginning of the message. I found this one online, and it was perfect! At the end of the 1960s, many California hippies settled in Santa Cruz. They got married and had children, not necessarily in …
Representing the Name
When I was a kid, we lived in Frankfort, Kentucky, which even though it’s the state capitol, is a pretty small town. My grandfather was an FBI agent, and in a political environment, that’s a pretty big deal. He and my grandmother were prominent in Frankfort’s society. They belonged to the country club, and went to parties at the governor’s …
WHATEVER I ask? Really, Lord?
I came across a scripture passage not long ago that made me stop and think. John 14:8-14 is a familiar passage. It’s the one where Philip tells Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” I can almost see Jesus shaking his head when he replies, “Don’t you know me, even after I’ve been with …
Book Review – The Perfect Blend
Today I’m participating in the blog tour for a terrific book, written by a friend. I loved The Perfect Blend by Trish Perry. The heroine, Steph, has been jilted by her fiance and winds up in a charming small town inhabited by a delightful cast of likable characters. Reeling from being dumped by her fiance’s secretary — he didn’t even …