Into the Fire

Some of you might have watched the twofold Republican debate last night and evaluated 15 Republican candidates using qualifications as one of the criteria for judging how they performed in the debate format.

Some jobs and/or occupations require stiff qualifications and requirements while others will gladly offer on the job training. So what qualifies any of us who determine to become writers?

My answer to that question is a big and solid: Nothing. You can be educated to the hilt, understand the language of choice, nuances of grammar, sentence structure, trends in fiction or non, and have achieved honors status in every class you've ever taken on literature and writing, but it won't matter if putting words together effectively for what you want to write doesn't work.

Since we talk mainly fiction here, nothing qualifies you to be able to write a story. Some professionals have little to no formal education while others have accomplished their Masters in the art of writing. Some bestsellers are written with basic storytelling skills but their stories caught fire with readers. Others treat the creation of a story like a lump of clay, mesmerized with shaping and texturing and definition before putting it into the firing kiln, paying more attention to the intent of the words than perhaps the story itself.

Whatever kind of writer you are or have become, the skills which make you one are God-given. Acknowledged or not, He is the Creator with the capital C. He infuses people with all kinds of skills and talents and allows them to develop their natural gifts. He urges and indicates in subtle and pointed ways the paths each one should follow because He's built blessings into people. Whether or not they use them appropriately remains their choice.

So in the end, the only qualification for being or becoming a writer is the direction received from the Divine, the One True God who lavishes His creation with the abilities to create and develop the innate talents He's provided. Without His infusion for a particular talent, all the worldly qualifications won't ultimately matter.

Father, thank you for all you give us, do for us, provide for us, and show us. We're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Love this. So bright. The wood walls are a great touch. The only part I'm not too fond of is the tile under the island. Great kitchen.

God, so many so gifted. Wow. In awe of the abilities you give people. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

One of my favorites: NCIS-LA at 10 PM Mondays on CBS. Begins 9/21/15.

Returning for Season 8: Castle at 10 PM Mondays on ABC. Begins 9/21/15. 

Father, let people with such talent know from whom it comes. A generous gift from the Lord of all Creation. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

                                   Need I say more?

Father, you get it, but I'm thankful. Truly. So very thankful. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

   "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. . . ."

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NIV)

From that infamous 9/11 to the present, we always wonder what will happen today. Death, often symbolized by the Cross, gives way to the hope of the Cross. Such a cruel mission perpetrated by terrorists left many Americans with broken hearts and huge losses. True terror wrenched itself against the USA that day and many years later in Benghazi. 

There is no justification for such vicious animosity and hatred, but the source remains the same. The enemy of the human soul manifested by murder, prejudice, and false religion prevails from the rebellion in heaven to this day. The devil and his demons are active and hurried in a rush to take down the human race and foist hell upon as many as possible.

But . . . "and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18 (NIV)

Thank you, Lord, for not abandoning us to the grave. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

So, sometimes on Fridays we get a little random. By the end of the week, my blog brain expires. Hope you enjoy today's five unrelated items.

Favorite room in your current living quarters. (Mine is the living room where I don't spend much time or our bedroom.)

Your favorite year of those terrible teens. (Mine was 19.)

Your favorite sport to watch. (Mine of course is professional football. Go Hawks!)

Your favorite male name – you may have two. (Mine are Michael and Joseph.)

Your middle name. (Mine is Colleen – my mom's first name.)

Father, thank you from my heart for friends who visit this blog, who mean so much to me, who are so valuable to you. Please bless, comfort, instruct, and inspire them and help them each with their individual needs as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

As we head down the road to the end of summer, there is one current thing we all need. Know what it is? Although it certainly pertains to writers, it really affects everyone. Come see what I think it is at Novel Rocket.

Lord, you provide for all of our needs, but sometimes we fail to hear your voice. Please help us to listen and know you always care for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

        And back to contemporary fabulous. Now this is a kitchen.

Lord, I can't imagine the beauty of heaven where your creativity explodes. Thank you for the glimpses of beauty here on earth. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Well, you knew there had to be a good reason for this one, right? Johnny Depp is my favorite actor and this is the commercial for the new Dior cologne "Sauvage". Yes, it fits him. And I would agree he hasn't found what he's looking for. Yet.

God, please let my prayers matter for him. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.