Please note the time of this post. It bears great significance. For, you see, exactly twenty years ago, on April 18, 1985, at 1:21 PM, the shape of eternity was forever altered when one seven-pound, eight-ounce immortal soul made his entrance into the world. He came as babies do, bringing a breath of heaven and […]
So much more than a moment to me Read More »
The conductor raised his baton, cued the poet, and the phone sang in tune with the music of the spheres. Or something like that. Her husband sat at the table nearby sorting the mail. She’d just read the poem on the screen silently to herself. Twice. And, as she had so many times before, she
Glimpses of the symphony Read More »
I laugh when people do stupid things. This is not mean, because, quite often I am the person doing the stupid thing. Today’s episode: My autographed copy of Over the Rhine’s “Drunkard’s Prayer” arrived in the mail today. When I left to pick up my Monday afternoon discipleship-group girls, I popped it in the car’s
Over the Over the Rhine Read More »
But girl, don’t they warn ya? It pours, man, it pours . . .” Ah! What could be better than welcoming spring whilst frolicking amid nature’s lavish verdancy at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in beautiful, sunny California? Not a thing if you have an umbrella. It rained pretty much the whole five days. The
Chapter Two: “It Never Rains in California . . . Read More »
Remember the standard, elementary school, first-day-back-to-class assignment? Every year it was the same thing. “Okay, boys and girls, take out a sheet of notebook paper, and write your name in the top right corner.” Then the teacher would pick up a brand new stick of chalk and write these words on her pristine blackboard. “What
“My Adventures” by ElleZymn, Chapter One: Rocky Mountain High Read More »
When I got in my car Wednesday night to drive home from Tyler, I tried to plug Over the Rhine’s “Good Dog Bad Dog” into my CD player. The machinery would whir a bit then spit the CD back out. Between attempts I’d hear snatches of beautiful classical music, but I mostly ignored it. I
Do you ever feel like, no matter what you say, it comes out wrong? Somewhere between your mouth and the listener’s ear, the words get twisted into a shape you never intended. You meant to put someone at ease, but instead he looks more uncomfortable than before. You meant to encourage, but you offend. Does
Waking up in Kansas Read More »
Hi! I’m between trips right now — arrived in Dallas from Colorado yesterday; leave for California tomorrow — and wanted to jump in here to let you know the second-ever “Celebration of New Christian Fiction” has been posted by Mick Silva, super-editor and all-around nice guy, over at his blog, My Writers Group. Stop by
Anybody up for a celebration? Read More »
I’m about to disappear for a while. (Wouldn’t it be fun to really disappear for a day? — to walk around unseen, listening to other people’s conversations, finding out what they say about you when you’re not around . . . or, um, on second thought, never mind.) Anyway, back to my original topic. March
After the final benediction Sunday morning I remained at the piano, jamming with the band as usual. Then I faced the three guitarists, said, “Always a pleasure, gentlemen,” and headed to the sound booth to gather my lead sheets. It’s funny. You spend your whole life becoming. Always working toward goals. Always looking ahead to