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The Pixelated Lens of Fear
Fear isn’t just something that plagues children. Although we might laugh about monsters in the closet now, the truth is that we all struggle or have struggled with fear at some point. Only, our fears morph into more subtle villains, masked with titles like rejection, self-doubt, and failure. Or, they may even be seemingly laughable “little” things that tempt us not to trust God … like my somewhat irrational fear of needles. (I say “somewhat” because trypanophobia is a word in the dictionary, which makes me guess I’m not alone.) Today, I’m honored to be a guest on author Jerusha Agen’s The Fear Warrior Blog. There, I’m sharing a challenge about…
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The Places Graduates Go: Deserts and Gardens
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. Do you recognize this conversation from Alice in Wonderland? If you’re graduating, maybe you feel a little bit like Alice. You’d like very much to stop and ask for directions. Along the way, though, life is going to take you places you might not expect. Last time, we saw the first two, and today, we’re going to look at two more. THE DESERT Missionary explorer David Livingston trekked across Africa from west…
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The Places Graduates Go: Mountains and Valleys
You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way! Dr. Seuss penned these well-known verses which have become synonymous with graduation. They capture a sense of achievement and the anticipation of climbing the mountain ahead. Mountains are awesome to climb (We’ll talk about that in just a minute.), but there are several other places graduates will find themselves in the years ahead. Some of them are exhilarating; others are exhausting. Even if you’re not a graduate, you can still relate to these places. Wherever you are in your journey, I hope these words will encourage and challenge you to pursue your…
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Memorial Day: Honor to Whom Honor is Due
This Memorial Day, I think back to my visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Lined with row after row of headstones, those grounds demand respect. People don’t talk loudly but whisper in hushed tones. During the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, visitors stand and silently watch the meticulous inspection of the new guard and the precision of those on duty. Today, many of us will enjoy a day off from work, time spent with family, and good food. I’m truly thankful for all these things, but I might not be able to enjoy them but for the sacrifice of so many men and women. And…
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Jamestown Lessons on Faith and Government
There are so many places I could share with you from my trip to D.C. and Virginia, but today, I want to leave you with just one more: Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America. The second day of the Alpha Omega Academy trip took us to Jamestown, or rather, the scale-size model of that first community that sits on the opposite side of the James River where the actual excavation site lies. There, we encountered replicas of the three ships that brought the first settlers to American soil: the Godspeed, the Discovery, and the Susan Constant. Next, we explored a Powhatan Indian village and the fort itself, including the church…
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The Lincoln Memorial and a Mother’s Day Tribute
Of all the monuments and memorials in the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial might be the most famous. (By National Mall, I don’t mean a shopping plaza with a food court. It’s the name of the national park lined with many of D.C.’s monuments.) Engraved on either side of Lincoln’s statue are both his Second Inaugural Address and his Gettysburg Address. The lesser well-known of the two is his inaugural address, which focuses on the Civil War conflict that had been tearing the nation apart during his presidency. I want to share with you an excerpt that reveals our sixteenth president’s faith and humility. Neither party expected for the war,…
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Heritage in American History: Jefferson Memorial
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of chaperoning Alpha Omega Academy’s first field trip to Washington, D.C. Students from the states and abroad converged at Dulles and Reagan airports to start a week-long tour of our nation’s capital. Never having been to D.C., I soaked up the history and culture like a sponge. Day after day, I witnessed landmarks that revealed our country’s faith-based heritage and the wisdom of our early leaders. Blessed. That’s how this trip made me feel. Not only was I thrilled to explore “history” with an amazing group of students and chaperones, but I also felt as though God had given me a gift, an affirmation…
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The Paradox of the Cross
The Romans used the cross as a merciless method of execution. Crucifixion embodied the cruelest form of torture, shame, and Roman brutality. Yet, we Christians see the cross as a symbol of hope. Because of the cross, we have the promise of eternal life in heaven, a place prepared for those who trust Jesus’ atoning blood, shed for us. Have you ever stopped to consider this paradox and how it might appear to someone unfamiliar with the gospel? In The Revisionary, Portia has no understanding of the Christian faith. She’s never seen a Bible and can only wonder about the book George Washington clutches, as shown in a decaying statue. So…
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Fools in Fiction
My brave girl’s quest is a fool’s errand, but I’m proud of her spirit. – Abram Abernathy, The Revisionary Fool. The word can be a loaded insult or a joking comment. It can have the intent to correct or ring with resigned sadness. In The Revisionary, Portia’s father describes her plan to rescue Darius as a “fool’s errand,” and in doing so, implies the futility of her cause. Although she may be short-sighted, he still admires her determination. Fools in fiction (and real life) are complicated people. They may or may not fit the ordinary definition of a person who lacks sense or good judgment. The simple fool The easiest to spot is the…
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The Revisionary Cover: An Unlikely Story
We all like unwrapping presents on our birthdays. For my birthday this year, I wanted to “unwrap” something my readers could enjoy with me. So, I asked my editor Marji if I could share my new book cover with my readers today, and she said yes! I can’t wait to share the story “inside” the cover with you on June 6 (release day), but today, there’s another story to tell. It’s the one that made this cover possible and one that began in an unlikely place. The Story behind the Cover The year was 2007. I had recently graduated from college and started a job at a marketing company. A few cubicles over…
