A growing number of people today do not believe in the Bible. They have science, history, and logic. To them the Bible is just an outdated book that people use wrongfully. Religions under the name of "God" have caused many wars and bloodshed. The younger generation often look at the Bible and think "animal... Continue Reading →
One of my mother’s favorite movies was Gone With the Wind. We watched it every year growing up, and I can almost recite the whole four-hour film verbatim. At one point in the movie, Scarlett sees that the one she is smitten with, Ashley, is to marry another. As war breaks out, she marries Mr.... Continue Reading →
Although words like Trump, Donald, and Mar-a-Lago will be in this blog, it is not a political post and has nothing much to do with the Donald. The other day, I decided to go to an opposite news source, CNN via YouTube. As I was comparing headlines, one caught my attention. The video was... Continue Reading →
See video at end of blog: The military has many cadences that are sung during marching. When I was a younger girl around five or six years old, we sang a song in my Sunday School class called "I'm in the Lord's Army." Here are the beginning of the lyrics: "I may never march in... Continue Reading →
At the end of this blog, you will find a list of around 20 different fasts mentioned in the Bible and the purpose and outcome of these. We learn what not to do while fasting from Yeshua: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do… But when you fast, put oil... Continue Reading →
"The Don considered a use of threats the most foolish kind of exposure; the unleashing of anger without forethought as the most dangerous indulgence." ― Mario Puzo, The Godfather I Kings 2, plays out like an assassin movie with a leading hitman. David instructs Solomon to guard the commandments and to walk holy before Adonai.... Continue Reading →
The aged man named Joshua stepped carefully to the first oven with his ancient tools. He wore steel-toed boots and protective glasses. He knows that synthetic garments cannot be worn here because anything made of false fibers will melt. The heat from the oven warmed his face as he continued spinning the metal rod in... Continue Reading →
Leadership and Bare Buttocks “Hine Ma Tov” What could a disturbing story in II Samuel have to do with a Psalm on unity? One has oil dripping down the beard and covering the skirts of Aaron; the other has skirts cut to bare David's servant's nakedness. The king's servants had their beards shaved half off... Continue Reading →
It hung there like a branch on a tree. The color? It was more of a brown, Like shoe leather and cream with orbs of splattered sunlight. The timeworn camera had captured a split second of special. We would call it a black and white photo today, but to suggest it had a quality of... Continue Reading →
They were unpromising Words grated like cheese. Words reduced to small shreds. Words strung like pasta. Tossed like a salad Thrown together with a pinch of thyme And oregano The other morsels were small. Irritants Acidic Tomatoes, garlic, and onions Barely noticeable to the tall ones Their necks stretched out in the clouds. They see... Continue Reading →
Hate is like a piece of yeast. It permeates and puffs up with satisfaction It says, “I am right!” I hold truth! I carry all knowledge! I will rebuke! It wipes its mouth with a napkin And still, the juice runs Hate dripping off chins Spilling over into diaper bins And storefront shelves Magazine covers,... Continue Reading →
“For thou hast possessed my kidneys: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13 JB. “I shall bless Lord Jehovah who counsels me and my kidneys teach me in the nights.” Psalm 16:7 AB. I’m five or six years old, and it hurts to breathe. I’m feverish. The doctor puts his stethoscope on... Continue Reading →
Strong drinks lead to drunkeness: "And he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast covered with names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns And the woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,... Continue Reading →
"There's always a time to shine," she said, curling her bottom lip."You need to let the light shoot out of your hair like cracked eggshells covered in glistening white yolks." Sparkles. I pictured her hair standing up all over her head, illuminated and glistened like the moon draped over an armchair or a starfish on... Continue Reading →
~Memoir~ Chapter 5 Boot Camp It seemed like it only took months for my sickness to progress into a total meltdown. I felt depleted of every ounce of strength. Like wafting wet paper, I floated along drained. It was a weekday in winter, and the chill was all around me. I could smell death and... Continue Reading →
I thought of a word to describe you. Comfortable Like a much-traveled shoe A blanket worn and soft A tree with old bark A coffee cup stained The coziness of a tattered chair The bare path much traveled upon Openly frank and unpredictable, yet predictable in every way Comfortable A rainy Monday splattered on a... Continue Reading →
A couple of years ago, my aunt, Eva, who was in her 80's, was not feeling well. A dear cousin went to visit and took her to the doctor. While there, they discovered she had cancer. Our hearts were broken. My aunt never had children. Her neighbors had been checking on her. My cousin... Continue Reading →
I have three sons of Spirit, Sons of lightning, sons of fame. I have three sons who live in a box on the corner begging for change. They play trashcan drums and acoustic guitars. They sing in the churches, and they sing in the bars. They rise sturdy with strength like Samson. They have arms... Continue Reading →
I'm so honored to feature my husband, Jeff Manning, as this month's author of the month. He, of course, is my favorite author showcased so far! This story is one that will cause you to grab the kleenex but in a good way. At the request of my beloved wife and best friend, I would... Continue Reading →
It was an honor to be invited to the KY Book Fair. To be seated in a room full of authors like Wendell Berry was surreal. His poetry has gotten me through many difficult times and caused me to become more aware of the beauty in creation. I had the pleasure of meeting Mary... Continue Reading →